CVE-2023-52927·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: allow exp not to be removed in nf_ct_find_expectation Currently nf_conntrack_in() calling nf_ct_find_expectation() will remove the exp from the hash table. However, in some scenario, we expect the exp not to be removed when the created ct will not be confirmed, like in OVS and TC conntrack in the following patches. This patch allows exp not to be removed by setting IPS_CONFIRMED in the status of the tmpl.
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 6.6
- Published
- 2025-03-14
Affected versions
From: 6.2
Until: 6.6
Fixed in: 6.6
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 6.6 or later to resolve this netfilter expectation handling vulnerability. This patch corrects how connection tracking expectations are managed to prevent premature removal in certain network processing scenarios like OVS and TC conntrack operations. Kernel updates typically require a system reboot to take effect.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-develDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Check your kernel version with: uname -r — vulnerable versions are 6.2 through 6.5.x
- Verify netfilter conntrack is loaded: grep -i conntrack /boot/config-$(uname -r) | grep -i yes
- Review kernel logs for netfilter-related errors: journalctl -u kernel | grep -i 'netfilter\|conntrack\|expectation'
- After patching, confirm the new kernel is running: uname -r should show 6.6 or later
FAQ
What is CVE-2023-52927?
This vulnerability affects how the Linux kernel's netfilter module handles connection tracking expectations, particularly in virtualized and container networking environments. The flaw allows expectations to be prematurely removed from the hash table when certain network processing paths don't confirm connections, breaking expected behavior in OVS and TC conntrack implementations.
Is CVE-2023-52927 being actively exploited?
No, this vulnerability is not listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, and no public exploits are currently available.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2023-52927?
Linux kernel versions 6.2 through 6.5.x are vulnerable; kernel 6.6 and later contain the fix.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2023-52927?
Run: uname -r — if the output shows a version between 6.2 and 6.5.x (inclusive), your system is vulnerable. You can also check: grep 'VERSION\|PATCHLEVEL' /usr/src/linux/.config 2>/dev/null || cat /proc/version
Does Defensia detect CVE-2023-52927?
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-2023-52927 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
Track CVEs across your fleet automatically
Defensia scans your Linux servers and tells you exactly which ones are running vulnerable versions — including CVE-2023-52927. Free for 1 server.
Get started free