CVE-2023-3390 : What You Need to Know

This CVE record was published on June 28, 2023, by Google. It involves a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux Kernel's netfilter subsystem with high severity impact, allowing for privilege escalation.

Understanding CVE-2023-3390

This vulnerability is related to mishandled error handling in the netfilter subsystem, specifically in net/netfilter/nf_tables_api.c. It allows a local attacker with user access to exploit a dangling pointer in the same transaction, resulting in a use-after-free vulnerability and potential privilege escalation.

What is CVE-2023-3390?

The CVE-2023-3390 vulnerability is a use-after-free flaw in the Linux kernel's netfilter subsystem, which could be exploited by a local attacker to escalate privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2023-3390

The impact of this vulnerability is classified as high, with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8. It can lead to confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts on affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-3390

This section provides more insight into the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from mishandled error handling in the netfilter subsystem, allowing for the exploitation of a dangling pointer in the same transaction, leading to a use-after-free scenario and potential privilege escalation.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is the Linux Kernel, specifically versions less than 6.4 with a custom version of 3.16.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker with local user access can take advantage of the flawed error handling with NFT_MSG_NEWRULE to exploit the dangling pointer and escalate privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-3390, immediate steps should be taken, and long-term security practices should be implemented.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Linux Kernel versions beyond the vulnerable commit 1240eb93f0616b21c675416516ff3d74798fdc97.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities.
Implement the principle of least privilege for user access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch the Linux Kernel to address security vulnerabilities promptly.
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and remediate potential vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and patches from official sources such as Linux Kernel repositories to ensure timely mitigation of known vulnerabilities.