CVE-2023-52818·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: drm/amd: Fix UBSAN array-index-out-of-bounds for SMU7 For pptable structs that use flexible array sizes, use flexible arrays.
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 6.6.3
- Published
How likely is exploitation
FIRST's Exploit Prediction Scoring System puts the probability of this CVE being exploited in the next 30 days at <0.1% — higher than 2% of all published CVEs. EPSS is an independent forecast of exploitation, not a severity rating: it says nothing about how much damage a successful attack does, which is what a CVSS score measures.
Read the two together. CVE-2023-52818 scores 7.8 on CVSS, so a successful attack would be serious — but at <0.1%, almost nobody is currently attempting it. That is a different situation from a flaw under mass exploitation, and it is usually the difference between patching on your next maintenance window and patching tonight.
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 resolve this memory safety issue in the AMD SMU7 power management subsystem. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of flexible array structures that can lead to out-of-bounds memory access. Systems running kernel versions 6.6 through 6.6.2 should prioritize this update to eliminate the exposure.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-develDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Run `uname -r` to check your current kernel version; versions 6.6.0 through 6.6.2 are vulnerable
- Execute `lsmod | grep amdgpu` to confirm if AMD GPU drivers are loaded and the SMU7 firmware interface is active
- Search kernel logs with `journalctl -k | grep -i 'ubsan\|index.*out.*bounds\|smu'` to identify any existing array-index violations
- Verify the patch by running `cat /proc/version` after reboot to confirm kernel version is 6.6.3 or higher
FAQ
What is CVE-2023-52818?
This CVE is a memory safety defect in the Linux kernel's AMD power management module (SMU7) where certain data structure definitions use fixed-size arrays instead of flexible arrays, causing potential out-of-bounds memory access during runtime operations.
Is CVE-2023-52818 being actively exploited?
No, this vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog and no public exploits are currently available.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2023-52818?
Linux kernel versions 6.6.0, 6.6.1, and 6.6.2 are affected; version 6.6.3 and all subsequent releases contain the fix.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2023-52818?
Run `uname -r` and compare the output; if it shows 6.6.0, 6.6.1, or 6.6.2, your system is vulnerable. Additionally, check if AMD GPU support is compiled in with `grep -i amd /boot/config-$(uname -r)` or `lsmod | grep amdgpu`.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2023-52818?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If the Linux kernel is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2023-52818 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6dffdddfca818c02a42b6caa1d9845995f0a1f94
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/760efbca74a405dc439a013a5efaa9fadc95a8c3
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8af28ae3acb736ada4ce3457662fa446cc913bb4
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/92a775e7c9707aed28782bafe636bf87675f5a97
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/acdb6830de02cf2873aeaccdf2d9bca4aee50e47
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