CVE-2023-53395 is a high-severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel, specifically concerning the handling of the ASL Timer instruction. This vulnerability allows for potential exploitation through local access, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 7.8, highlighting its significant risk to organizations that utilize affected Linux kernel versions.
The vulnerability arises from the addition of the AML_NO_OPERAND_RESOLVE flag to the ASL Timer instruction opcode. This was introduced to conform with the ACPI specification, which states that no argument is required for the Timer instruction. Previously, the interpreter could encounter errors when handling the Timer instruction without the flag.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately, as the vulnerability could allow for unauthorized access or system instability due to incorrect handling of the Timer instructions.
The urgency for defenders is underscored by the potential for exploitation. Despite no known public exploits at this time, the nature of this vulnerability warrants immediate attention.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of CVE-2023-53395 indicates that it pertains to the Linux kernel, specifically regarding the ACPICA subsystem. The addition of the AML_NO_OPERAND_RESOLVE flag addresses an issue with ASL Timer instruction processing where no argument is passed. The vulnerability has been classified under CWE-129, which pertains to improper validation of array index.
The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 score of 7.8, categorized as high severity. This score indicates that the attack vector is local, the attack complexity is low, and it requires only low privileges. There is no user interaction required, and the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high.
The vulnerability affects various versions of the Linux kernel, particularly those prior to version 4.14.326, versions 4.15 to 4.19.295, 4.20 to 5.4.257, 5.5 to 5.10.197, 5.11 to 5.15.133, 5.16 to 6.1.55, and 6.2 to 6.5.5.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of the ASL Timer instruction by the ACPI interpreter. When this instruction is processed without the necessary operand resolve flag, it can lead to array-index-out-of-bounds errors, resulting in potential crashes or undefined behavior.
The attack vector is local, which means that an attacker would need access to the affected system to exploit this vulnerability. The attack complexity is assessed as low, suggesting that the exploitation could be performed with minimal effort. Privileges required are low, allowing even non-administrative users to potentially exploit this vulnerability.
User interaction is not required for this vulnerability, further increasing the risk. If exploited, the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is significant, as corrupted array handling can lead to unauthorized data access or system disruptions.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The potential risk this vulnerability poses to organizations is considerable. Given its high severity score, the vulnerability can significantly affect systems running vulnerable versions of the Linux kernel.
The blast radius could be extensive, affecting numerous machines in an organization that relies on affected kernel versions. This vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access, data corruption, or denial of service conditions, which may disrupt operations.
The urgency for remediation is high. Organizations should address this vulnerability in priority patch cycles, considering the implications of potential exploitation.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of the Linux kernel are as follows: All versions prior to 4.14.326, versions 4.15 through 4.19.295, 4.20 through 5.4.257, 5.5 through 5.10.197, 5.11 through 5.15.133, 5.16 through 6.1.55, and 6.2 through 6.5.5.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize applying patches to their Linux kernel installations. This includes updating to the latest versions that have addressed CVE-2023-53395. If an immediate patch cannot be applied, consider implementing configuration hardening measures to mitigate risks.
For further guidance on securing your Linux environments, organizations may benefit from engaging in penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring for unusual behavior in the ACPI subsystem and logging any errors related to ASL Timer instructions can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Look for array-index-out-of-bounds errors in system logs, as these may indicate an attempt to leverage this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2023-53395 reflects ongoing challenges within the Linux kernel regarding ACPI interpretation and error handling. It highlights the importance of rigorous testing and validation of kernel updates to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.
Security teams should remain vigilant about such vulnerabilities, ensuring robust patch management processes are in place. Engaging in penetration testing methodology can help identify and mitigate potential weaknesses before they can be exploited.
Additionally, organizations should consider adopting a proactive vulnerability management program to continuously assess and improve their security posture against emerging threats.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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