CVE-2023-52760·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: gfs2: Fix slab-use-after-free in gfs2_qd_dealloc In gfs2_put_super(), whether withdrawn or not, the quota should be cleaned up by gfs2_quota_cleanup(). Otherwise, struct gfs2_sbd will be freed before gfs2_qd_dealloc (rcu callback) has run for all gfs2_quota_data objects, resulting in use-after-free. Also, gfs2_destroy_threads() and gfs2_quota_cleanup() is already called by gfs2_make_fs_ro(), so in gfs2_put_super(), after calling gfs2_make_fs_ro(), there is no need to call them again.
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 6.6.3
- Published
- 2024-05-21
Affected versions
From: 6.2
Until: 6.6.3
Fixed in: 6.6.3
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 6.6.3 or later to resolve a memory safety issue in GFS2 quota handling. This vulnerability causes a use-after-free condition when the kernel deallocates quota data structures, potentially leading to system instability or privilege escalation. Ensure your system is rebooted after applying the kernel update to activate the patched version.
sudo dnf check-update kernel && sudo dnf update kernel && sudo rebootDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Step 1: Check your current kernel version with `uname -r` and compare it against the affected range (6.2 to 6.6.2)
- Step 2: Verify GFS2 is mounted on your system with `mount | grep gfs2` — if no output, this CVE has minimal impact on your infrastructure
- Step 3: Search kernel logs for use-after-free warnings related to GFS2 quota operations using `sudo dmesg | grep -i 'gfs2\|quota\|use-after-free'`
- Step 4: After patching, confirm the new kernel version with `uname -r` and verify it matches 6.6.3 or later
FAQ
What is CVE-2023-52760?
CVE-2023-52760 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's GFS2 filesystem quota management subsystem. When the kernel shuts down, quota data structures are freed prematurely before all associated cleanup callbacks complete, allowing freed memory to be accessed and potentially corrupted.
Is CVE-2023-52760 being actively exploited?
No, CVE-2023-52760 is not listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog and no public exploits are available. However, the high CVSS score (7.8) indicates it should still be patched promptly.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2023-52760?
Linux kernel versions 6.2 through 6.6.2 are vulnerable. Kernel 6.6.3 and later versions contain the fix.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2023-52760?
Run `uname -r` to check your kernel version. If the output shows a version between 6.2 and 6.6.2, and GFS2 is mounted (verify with `mount | grep gfs2`), your system is vulnerable.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2023-52760?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If the Linux kernel package is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2023-52760 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/08a28272faa750d4357ea2cb48d2baefd778ea81
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/bdcb8aa434c6d36b5c215d02a9ef07551be25a37
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/08a28272faa750d4357ea2cb48d2baefd778ea81
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7ad4e0a4f61c57c3ca291ee010a9d677d0199fba
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/bdcb8aa434c6d36b5c215d02a9ef07551be25a37
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