CVE-2023-52564

What it is

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: Revert "tty: n_gsm: fix UAF in gsm_cleanup_mux" This reverts commit 9b9c8195f3f0d74a826077fc1c01b9ee74907239. The commit above is reverted as it did not solve the original issue. gsm_cleanup_mux() tries to free up the virtual ttys by calling gsm_dlci_release() for each available DLCI. There, dlci_put() is called to decrease the reference counter for the DLCI via tty_port_put() which finally calls gsm_dlci_free(). This already clears the pointer which is being checked in gsm_cleanup_mux() before calling gsm_dlci_release(). Therefore, it is not necessary to clear this pointer in gsm_cleanup_mux() as done in the reverted commit. The commit introduces a null pointer dereference: <TASK> ? __die+0x1f/0x70 ? page_fault_oops+0x156/0x420 ? search_exception_tables+0x37/0x50 ? fixup_exception+0x21/0x310 ? exc_page_fault+0x69/0x150 ? asm_exc_page_fault+0x26/0x30 ? tty_port_put+0x19/0xa0 gsmtty_cleanup+0x29/0x80 [n_gsm] release_one_tty+0x37/0xe0 process_one_work+0x1e6/0x3e0 worker_thread+0x4c/0x3d0 ? __pfx_worker_thread+0x10/0x10 kthread+0xe1/0x110 ? __pfx_kthread+0x10/0x10 ret_from_fork+0x2f/0x50 ? __pfx_kthread+0x10/0x10 ret_from_fork_asm+0x1b/0x30 </TASK> The actual issue is that nothing guards dlci_put() from being called multiple times while the tty driver was triggered but did not yet finished calling gsm_dlci_free().

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine with a low-privilege account. High risk of service disruption.

Exploit odds

0.2% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2024-03-02 22:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 06:43 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.2% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 5.5 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2024-03-02 22:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 06:43 UTC

Exploit probability

0.2% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-476 · NULL pointer dereference

Record status

Analyzed

Affected

• Linux Kernel < 5.10.198
• Linux Kernel < 5.15.134
• Linux Kernel < 6.1.56
• Linux Kernel < 6.5.6
• Linux Kernel 6.6

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 5.5

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

None

Availability

High

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2023-52564.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2023-52564. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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