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CVE-2023-2176: CWE-125 in Kernel

High
VulnerabilityCVE-2023-2176cvecve-2023-2176cwe-125
Published: Thu Apr 20 2023 (04/20/2023, 00:00:00 UTC)
Source: CVE
Vendor/Project: n/a
Product: Kernel

Description

A vulnerability was found in compare_netdev_and_ip in drivers/infiniband/core/cma.c in RDMA in the Linux Kernel. The improper cleanup results in out-of-boundary read, where a local user can utilize this problem to crash the system or escalation of privilege.

AI-Powered Analysis

AILast updated: 07/03/2025, 12:42:45 UTC

Technical Analysis

CVE-2023-2176 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in the Linux Kernel version 6.1, specifically within the RDMA (Remote Direct Memory Access) subsystem. The flaw exists in the compare_netdev_and_ip function located in the drivers/infiniband/core/cma.c source file. This vulnerability is classified as CWE-125, which corresponds to an out-of-bounds read error. The root cause is improper cleanup in the code, which leads to reading memory beyond the intended boundary. This flaw can be exploited by a local user with limited privileges (PR:L) without requiring any user interaction (UI:N). The attack vector is local, meaning the attacker must have access to the system to trigger the vulnerability. Successful exploitation can result in a system crash (denial of service) or, more critically, privilege escalation, allowing the attacker to gain higher-level permissions than originally granted. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (all rated high). The vulnerability does not currently have known exploits in the wild, but the severity and ease of exploitation by a local user make it a significant risk. The RDMA subsystem is used primarily in high-performance computing and data center environments to facilitate low-latency, high-throughput networking. The vulnerability’s presence in the Linux Kernel means it potentially affects a wide range of devices and servers running the affected kernel version, especially those leveraging RDMA for network communications.

Potential Impact

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2023-2176 can be substantial, particularly for enterprises and research institutions relying on Linux servers with RDMA capabilities. The vulnerability allows local attackers to crash critical systems or escalate privileges, which could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of services, and potential lateral movement within networks. Industries such as finance, telecommunications, cloud service providers, and scientific research centers that use Linux-based infrastructure with RDMA for performance optimization are at heightened risk. Disruption or compromise of these systems could lead to data breaches, operational downtime, and regulatory non-compliance under frameworks like GDPR. Additionally, the ability to escalate privileges locally could facilitate further attacks, including installation of persistent malware or exfiltration of confidential information. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as proof-of-concept exploits could emerge, increasing the likelihood of targeted attacks.

Mitigation Recommendations

To mitigate CVE-2023-2176, European organizations should prioritize patching Linux Kernel version 6.1 and any other affected versions as soon as vendor patches become available. Until patches are applied, organizations should restrict local access to systems running vulnerable kernels, enforcing strict access controls and monitoring for unusual local activity. Employing kernel-level security modules such as SELinux or AppArmor with strict policies can help limit the impact of privilege escalation attempts. Network segmentation should be used to isolate critical RDMA-enabled systems from less trusted environments. Additionally, organizations should audit and monitor RDMA usage and related kernel logs for anomalies. For environments where immediate patching is not feasible, disabling RDMA functionality temporarily can reduce exposure. Regular vulnerability scanning and compliance checks should include verification of kernel versions and the presence of this vulnerability. Finally, educating system administrators about this specific vulnerability and its implications will improve detection and response capabilities.

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Technical Details

Data Version
5.1
Assigner Short Name
redhat
Date Reserved
2023-04-19T00:00:00.000Z
Cisa Enriched
true
Cvss Version
3.1
State
PUBLISHED

Threat ID: 682d981fc4522896dcbdc587

Added to database: 5/21/2025, 9:08:47 AM

Last enriched: 7/3/2025, 12:42:45 PM

Last updated: 8/11/2025, 10:17:37 AM

Views: 11

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