In the Linux kernel, a vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-53345 has been resolved. This vulnerability allows for a potential data race condition in the rxrpc_wait_to_be_connected() function of the Linux kernel. The issue arises from improper state checking, which could lead to unexpected behavior.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 4.7, indicating a medium severity level. Risk to organizations includes potential data corruption and system instability.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, as it affects local systems with low privileges required for exploitation.
The vulnerability affects various versions of the Linux kernel, particularly those in the 6.2.x and 6.3.x series. The publication date for this vulnerability is September 17, 2025.
Given the potential implications, it is crucial for system administrators to ensure that all affected systems are updated promptly.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of the vulnerability states: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: rxrpc: Fix potential data race in rxrpc_wait_to_be_connected()
Inside the loop in rxrpc_wait_to_be_connected(), it checks call->error to see if it should exit the loop without first checking the call state. This is probably safe as if call->error is set, the call is dead anyway, but we should probably wait for the call state to have been set to completion first, lest it cause surprise on the way out.
Fix this by only accessing call->error if the call is complete. We don't actually need to access the error inside the loop as we'll do that after.
The following report highlights the issue: BUG: KCSAN: data-race in rxrpc_send_data / rxrpc_set_call_completion.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is a race condition that occurs when accessing shared resources without proper synchronization. The attack vector is local, meaning that an attacker would need access to the local system to exploit this vulnerability.
The attack complexity is high, as it requires specific conditions to be met for exploitation to occur. Privileges required for an attack are low, meaning that a local user could initiate an exploit without elevated permissions.
No user interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability, making it a significant concern for organizations running affected systems.
The availability impact is high, indicating that successful exploitation could lead to a denial of service or system crash, which would disrupt normal operations.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world risk for organizations deploying the Linux kernel includes potential service disruptions and data loss. The blast radius could affect multiple systems operating on the same kernel version.
Organizations should assess their exposure based on the CVSS score of 4.7, indicating a medium urgency for patching. Security teams must prioritize this vulnerability within their patch management processes.
Given the availability impact, organizations should consider this vulnerability a priority within their security posture.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The following versions of the Linux kernel are affected by this vulnerability: 6.2.1 to 6.2.16 and 6.3 to 6.3.3, including various release candidates.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should ensure that they apply the latest patches released for the Linux kernel. The fixed versions should be updated to versions beyond the affected ranges (6.2.16 and 6.3.3).
If immediate patching is not possible, organizations should consider implementing configuration changes to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.
For additional security, organizations may also engage in penetration testing to identify potential weaknesses in their systems.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of exploitation, focusing on anomalies in network traffic and system behavior. Behavioral anomalies may indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
Additionally, monitoring for specific error messages related to the affected functions may provide insight into potential exploitation attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2023-53345 is its representation of common coding flaws leading to race conditions in kernel development. It underscores the need for rigorous testing and code reviews in critical system components.
Security teams should view this vulnerability as a reminder of the potential impacts of seemingly minor coding issues within complex systems.
Organizations should also consider enhancing their vulnerability management programs to better identify and address such vulnerabilities proactively.
Finally, investing in manual penetration testing can further enhance security postures by revealing potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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