CVE-2023-52843

What it is

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: llc: verify mac len before reading mac header LLC reads the mac header with eth_hdr without verifying that the skb has an Ethernet header. Syzbot was able to enter llc_rcv on a tun device. Tun can insert packets without mac len and with user configurable skb->protocol (passing a tun_pi header when not configuring IFF_NO_PI). BUG: KMSAN: uninit-value in llc_station_ac_send_test_r net/llc/llc_station.c:81 [inline] BUG: KMSAN: uninit-value in llc_station_rcv+0x6fb/0x1290 net/llc/llc_station.c:111 llc_station_ac_send_test_r net/llc/llc_station.c:81 [inline] llc_station_rcv+0x6fb/0x1290 net/llc/llc_station.c:111 llc_rcv+0xc5d/0x14a0 net/llc/llc_input.c:218 __netif_receive_skb_one_core net/core/dev.c:5523 [inline] __netif_receive_skb+0x1a6/0x5a0 net/core/dev.c:5637 netif_receive_skb_internal net/core/dev.c:5723 [inline] netif_receive_skb+0x58/0x660 net/core/dev.c:5782 tun_rx_batched+0x3ee/0x980 drivers/net/tun.c:1555 tun_get_user+0x54c5/0x69c0 drivers/net/tun.c:2002 Add a mac_len test before all three eth_hdr(skb) calls under net/llc. There are further uses in include/net/llc_pdu.h. All these are protected by a test skb->protocol == ETH_P_802_2. Which does not protect against this tun scenario. But the mac_len test added in this patch in llc_fixup_skb will indirectly protect those too. That is called from llc_rcv before any other LLC code. It is tempting to just add a blanket mac_len check in llc_rcv, but not sure whether that could break valid LLC paths that do not assume an Ethernet header. 802.2 LLC may be used on top of non-802.3 protocols in principle. The below referenced commit shows that used to, on top of Token Ring. At least one of the three eth_hdr uses goes back to before the start of git history. But the one that syzbot exercises is introduced in this commit. That commit is old enough (2008), that effectively all stable kernels should receive this.

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. 2024-05-21 16:15 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

2024-05-21 16:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 06:43 UTC

Exploit probability

0.2% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-908

Record status

Analyzed

Affected

• Linux Kernel < 4.14.330
• Linux Kernel < 4.19.299
• Linux Kernel < 5.4.261
• Linux Kernel < 5.10.201
• Linux Kernel < 5.15.139
• Linux Kernel < 6.1.63
• Linux Kernel < 6.5.12
• Linux Kernel < 6.6.2

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-2023-52843.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2023-52843. 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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