CVE-2023-52859·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: perf: hisi: Fix use-after-free when register pmu fails When we fail to register the uncore pmu, the pmu context may not been allocated. The error handing will call cpuhp_state_remove_instance() to call uncore pmu offline callback, which migrate the pmu context. Since that's liable to lead to some kind of use-after-free. Use cpuhp_state_remove_instance_nocalls() instead of cpuhp_state_remove_instance() so that the notifiers don't execute after the PMU device has been failed to register.
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 6.6.2
- Published
- 2024-05-21
Affected versions
From: 6.6
Until: 6.6.2
Fixed in: 6.6.2
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 6.6.2 or later to resolve a use-after-free vulnerability in the HiSilicon uncore PMU registration logic. This issue occurs when PMU device registration fails, causing unsafe memory access during error cleanup. Systems running kernel versions 6.6 through 6.6.1 should prioritize this patch to prevent potential system instability or denial of service.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-develDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Check your current kernel version: uname -r
- Verify if you are running kernel 6.6.x with: cat /proc/version | grep -E '6\.6\.[0-1]'
- Confirm HiSilicon PMU driver is loaded: lsmod | grep hisi
- After patching, verify the new kernel version boots correctly: uname -r (should be 6.6.2 or later)
FAQ
What is CVE-2023-52859?
This vulnerability is a use-after-free flaw in the Linux kernel's HiSilicon uncore performance monitoring unit (PMU) driver. When PMU registration fails, the error handler incorrectly triggers callbacks on uninitialized memory regions, risking system crashes or undefined behavior.
Is CVE-2023-52859 being actively exploited?
No, this vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog and has no publicly available exploits. However, it remains a high-severity issue due to its potential for denial of service.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2023-52859?
Linux kernel versions 6.6 through 6.6.1 are vulnerable. Kernel 6.6.2 and later include the fix.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2023-52859?
Run `uname -r` to display your kernel version. If it shows 6.6.0 or 6.6.1, your system is vulnerable. Additionally, check if HiSilicon PMU is present with `lsmod | grep hisi`.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2023-52859?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If Kernel is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2023-52859 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0e1e88bba286621b886218363de07b319d6208b2
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3405f364f82d4f5407a8b4c519dc15d24b847fda
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/75bab28ffd05ec8879c197890b1bd1dfec8d3f63
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b660420f449d094b1fabfa504889810b3a63cdd5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b805cafc604bfdb671fae7347a57f51154afa735
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