Summary
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: skbuff: skb_segment, Call...
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
skbuff: skb_segment, Call zero copy functions before using skbuff frags
Commit bf5c25d60861 ("skbuff: in skb_segment, call zerocopy functions
once per nskb") added the call to zero copy functions in skb_segment().
The change introduced a bug in skb_segment() because skb_orphan_frags()
may possibly change the number of fragments or allocate new fragments
altogether leaving nrfrags and frag to point to the old values. This can
cause a panic with stacktrace like the one below.
[ 193.894380] BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 00000000000000bc
[ 193.895273] CPU: 13 PID: 18164 Comm: vh-net-17428 Kdump: loaded Tainted: G O 5.15.123+ #26
[ 193.903919] RIP: 0010:skb_segment+0xb0e/0x12f0
[ 194.021892] Call Trace:
[ 194.027422]
[ 194.072861] tcp_gso_segment+0x107/0x540
[ 194.082031] inet_gso_segment+0x15c/0x3d0
[ 194.090783] skb_mac_gso_segment+0x9f/0x110
[ 194.095016] __skb_gso_segment+0xc1/0x190
[ 194.103131] netem_enqueue+0x290/0xb10 [sch_netem]
[ 194.107071] dev_qdisc_enqueue+0x16/0x70
[ 194.110884] __dev_queue_xmit+0x63b/0xb30
[ 194.121670] bond_start_xmit+0x159/0x380 [bonding]
[ 194.128506] dev_hard_start_xmit+0xc3/0x1e0
[ 194.131787] __dev_queue_xmit+0x8a0/0xb30
[ 194.138225] macvlan_start_xmit+0x4f/0x100 [macvlan]
[ 194.141477] dev_hard_start_xmit+0xc3/0x1e0
[ 194.144622] sch_direct_xmit+0xe3/0x280
[ 194.147748] __dev_queue_xmit+0x54a/0xb30
[ 194.154131] tap_get_user+0x2a8/0x9c0 [tap]
[ 194.157358] tap_sendmsg+0x52/0x8e0 [tap]
[ 194.167049] handle_tx_zerocopy+0x14e/0x4c0 [vhost_net]
[ 194.173631] handle_tx+0xcd/0xe0 [vhost_net]
[ 194.176959] vhost_worker+0x76/0xb0 [vhost]
[ 194.183667] kthread+0x118/0x140
[ 194.190358] ret_from_fork+0x1f/0x30
[ 194.193670]
In this case calling skb_orphan_frags() updated nr_frags leaving nrfrags
local variable in skb_segment() stale. This resulted in the code hitting
i >= nrfrags prematurely and trying to move to next frag_skb using
list_skb pointer, which was NULL, and caused kernel panic. Move the call
to zero copy functions before using frags and nr_frags.
Impact
The application dereferences a null pointer, causing a crash. Typical impact: denial of service via crash.
CVE-2023-53354 has a CVSS score of 5.5 (Medium). The vector is requires local access, low privileges required, and no user interaction. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment. No fixed version is listed yet, so configuration controls and monitoring matter more in the interim.
Affected versions
Security releases
Kodem intelligence
Severity tells you how bad this could be in the worst case. It does not tell you whether you are exposed. Exploitability and impact are functions of runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A vulnerable package can sit in your dependency tree and never run.
Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter. Kodem's runtime-powered SCA identifies whether this CVE is reachable in your applications.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is CVE-2023-53354? CVE-2023-53354 is a medium-severity null pointer dereference vulnerability. No fixed version is listed yet. The application dereferences a null pointer, causing a crash.
- How severe is CVE-2023-53354? CVE-2023-53354 has a CVSS score of 5.5 (Medium). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
- Is there a fix for CVE-2023-53354? No fixed version is listed for CVE-2023-53354 yet. Monitor the advisory for updates and apply mitigations in the interim.
- Is CVE-2023-53354 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2023-53354 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
- What actually determines whether CVE-2023-53354 is exploitable, and how bad it is? Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.