CVE-2023-52804·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fs/jfs: Add validity check for db_maxag and db_agpref Both db_maxag and db_agpref are used as the index of the db_agfree array, but there is currently no validity check for db_maxag and db_agpref, which can lead to errors. The following is related bug reported by Syzbot: UBSAN: array-index-out-of-bounds in fs/jfs/jfs_dmap.c:639:20 index 7936 is out of range for type 'atomic_t[128]' Add checking that the values of db_maxag and db_agpref are valid indexes for the db_agfree array.
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 6.6.3
- Published
- 2024-05-21
Affected versions
From: 6.6
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 patch the array bounds validation issue in the JFS filesystem driver. This vulnerability allows local attackers with low privileges to trigger out-of-bounds memory access through improper validation of allocation group parameters. Reboot your system after applying the kernel update to ensure the patched version is active.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-devel && sudo rebootDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Check installed kernel version: uname -r — Verify the version is 6.6.3 or later
- Identify JFS filesystem usage: mount | grep jfs — Determine if JFS is actively mounted on the system
- Search kernel logs for array bounds violations: dmesg | grep -i 'ubsan\|array-index-out-of-bounds' — Look for exploitation attempts targeting db_maxag or db_agpref
- Validate kernel patch application: cat /proc/version | grep -oP '\d+\.\d+\.\d+' — Confirm patched version matches or exceeds 6.6.3
FAQ
What is CVE-2023-52804?
CVE-2023-52804 is a kernel vulnerability in the JFS filesystem that fails to validate allocation group parameters (db_maxag and db_agpref), allowing them to be used as unchecked array indices. This can result in out-of-bounds memory access, leading to information disclosure, privilege escalation, or denial of service.
Is CVE-2023-52804 being actively exploited?
No, CVE-2023-52804 is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog and no public exploit code is available. However, the vulnerability was discovered through automated fuzzing (Syzbot), indicating it is exploitable locally.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2023-52804?
Linux kernel versions 6.6 through 6.6.2 are vulnerable. The patch was released in kernel 6.6.3 and backported to stable branches.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2023-52804?
Run 'uname -r' and check if your kernel version is between 6.6 and 6.6.2. Additionally, verify JFS is in use with 'mount | grep jfs' — if the filesystem is not mounted, the attack surface is minimal.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2023-52804?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed kernel versions against the NVD database. If a vulnerable kernel version is detected on a monitored server, CVE-2023-52804 will appear in your dashboard with step-by-step remediation guidance and patch availability status.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1f74d336990f37703a8eee77153463d65b67f70e
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2323de34a3ae61a9f9b544c18583f71cea86721f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/32bd8f1cbcf8b663e29dd1f908ba3a129541a11b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5013f8269887642cca784adc8db9b5f0b771533f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/64933ab7b04881c6c18b21ff206c12278341c72e
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