CVE-2023-52991

What it is

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: fix NULL pointer in skb_segment_list Commit 3a1296a38d0c ("net: Support GRO/GSO fraglist chaining.") introduced UDP listifyed GRO. The segmentation relies on frag_list being untouched when passing through the network stack. This assumption can be broken sometimes, where frag_list itself gets pulled into linear area, leaving frag_list being NULL. When this happens it can trigger following NULL pointer dereference, and panic the kernel. Reverse the test condition should fix it. [19185.577801][ C1] BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: ... [19185.663775][ C1] RIP: 0010:skb_segment_list+0x1cc/0x390 ... [19185.834644][ C1] Call Trace: [19185.841730][ C1] <TASK> [19185.848563][ C1] __udp_gso_segment+0x33e/0x510 [19185.857370][ C1] inet_gso_segment+0x15b/0x3e0 [19185.866059][ C1] skb_mac_gso_segment+0x97/0x110 [19185.874939][ C1] __skb_gso_segment+0xb2/0x160 [19185.883646][ C1] udp_queue_rcv_skb+0xc3/0x1d0 [19185.892319][ C1] udp_unicast_rcv_skb+0x75/0x90 [19185.900979][ C1] ip_protocol_deliver_rcu+0xd2/0x200 [19185.910003][ C1] ip_local_deliver_finish+0x44/0x60 [19185.918757][ C1] __netif_receive_skb_one_core+0x8b/0xa0 [19185.927834][ C1] process_backlog+0x88/0x130 [19185.935840][ C1] __napi_poll+0x27/0x150 [19185.943447][ C1] net_rx_action+0x27e/0x5f0 [19185.951331][ C1] ? mlx5_cq_tasklet_cb+0x70/0x160 [mlx5_core] [19185.960848][ C1] __do_softirq+0xbc/0x25d [19185.968607][ C1] irq_exit_rcu+0x83/0xb0 [19185.976247][ C1] common_interrupt+0x43/0xa0 [19185.984235][ C1] asm_common_interrupt+0x22/0x40 ... [19186.094106][ C1] </TASK>

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network without logging in. High risk of service disruption.

Exploit odds

0.6% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

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

Timeline

1. 2025-03-27 17:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-08-04 10:18 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.6% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 7.5 HIGH (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2025-03-27 17:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-08-04 10:18 UTC

Exploit probability

0.6% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-476 · NULL pointer dereference

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Linux Kernel < 5.10.167
• Linux Kernel < 5.15.92
• Linux Kernel < 6.1.10
• Linux Kernel 6.2

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 7.5

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

None

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-2023-52991.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2023-52991. 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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