CVE-2023-52429 is a vulnerability in the Linux kernel's device mapper (dm) subsystem, specifically within the dm_table_create function located in drivers/md/dm-table.c. The flaw stems from a missing validation check on the dm_ioctl.target_count field before memory allocation in the alloc_targets function. This omission allows the kernel to attempt to allocate more than INT_MAX bytes, which can lead to an integer overflow or excessive memory allocation request, ultimately causing the kernel to crash. This results in a denial of service (DoS) condition, impacting system availability. The vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions through 6.7.4. Exploitation requires local privileges with low complexity, no user interaction, and no authentication beyond local access. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-789 (Uncontrolled Memory Allocation). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), with vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H, indicating local attack vector, low attack complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, unchanged scope, no confidentiality or integrity impact, but high impact on availability. No public exploits or patches are currently available, but the flaw poses a risk to systems using the device mapper, which is widely used for logical volume management and storage virtualization in Linux environments.

For European organizations, this vulnerability primarily threatens system availability by causing kernel crashes on affected Linux systems. Organizations relying on Linux servers for critical infrastructure, cloud services, or enterprise applications that utilize device mapper for storage management could experience service disruptions or downtime. This can affect data centers, cloud providers, and enterprises with Linux-based virtualization or container environments. Although the vulnerability does not compromise confidentiality or integrity, the denial of service can interrupt business operations, leading to potential financial losses and reputational damage. The requirement for local privileges limits remote exploitation, but insider threats or compromised accounts could leverage this flaw. Additionally, automated systems or orchestration platforms that manage Linux hosts might be impacted if they trigger the vulnerable code path. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as proof-of-concept exploits could emerge.

1. Monitor Linux kernel updates and apply patches promptly once available for versions up to 6.7.4 to address this vulnerability. 2. Restrict local access to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of exploitation by unauthorized personnel. 3. Implement strict access controls and auditing on systems running vulnerable kernels to detect suspicious activities or attempts to trigger the vulnerability. 4. Use kernel hardening techniques such as SELinux or AppArmor to limit the impact of potential exploits. 5. For environments using device mapper extensively, conduct thorough testing of kernel updates in staging before production deployment to ensure stability. 6. Employ system monitoring tools to detect abnormal kernel crashes or memory allocation failures that may indicate exploitation attempts. 7. Consider isolating critical Linux hosts or using virtualization/containerization to contain potential impact. 8. Educate system administrators about the vulnerability and safe handling of local privileges to reduce insider risk.