#VU71482 Use-after-free in Linux kernel - CVE-2023-0266

Vulnerability identifier: #VU71482

Vulnerability risk: High

CVSSv4.0: 8.5 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:A/U:Amber]

CVE-ID: CVE-2023-0266

CWE-ID: CWE-416

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
Linux kernel
Operating systems & Components / Operating system

Vendor: Linux Foundation

Description

The vulnerability allows a local user to escalate privileges on the system.

The vulnerability exists due to a use-after-free error within the snd_ctl_elem_read() function in the Linux kernel sound subsystem. A local user can trigger a use-after-free error and execute arbitrary code on the system.

Note, the vulnerability is being actively exploited in the wild.

Mitigation
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Linux kernel: All versions

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External links
http://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=56b88b50565cd8b946a2d00b0c83927b7ebb055e
http://blog.google/threat-analysis-group/spyware-vendors-use-0-days-and-n-days-against-popular-platforms/

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

Yes. This vulnerability is being exploited in the wild.