CVE-2023-53142 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's 'ice' network driver, specifically within the function ice_get_module_eeprom(). This function is responsible for reading the EEPROM data from network interface modules, which is used by the ethtool utility to query hardware information. The vulnerability stems from a refactor commit (e9c9692c8a81) that changed the way EEPROM data is read in blocks of size 8 bytes. However, the condition intended to prevent buffer overflow fails to account for the last block, which can lead to an out-of-bounds read or write. The last block always contains zeros, but the improper boundary check allows ethtool to request a read length that exceeds the buffer size, potentially causing memory corruption. This bug was uncovered after an upstream ethtool commit (9538f384b535) changed the way EEPROM pages are requested, including requests with length = 1 to read specific identifiers. The vulnerability does not appear to have known exploits in the wild yet. The patch corrects the boundary check and properly handles the last block, preventing buffer overflow and ensuring accurate EEPROM data retrieval. The vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions containing the problematic commit and impacts systems using the ice driver, which is commonly used for Intel Ethernet devices, particularly 40G and 25G Ethernet adapters. The vulnerability is technical and low-level, involving kernel driver memory handling and hardware interaction, and could potentially be exploited to cause denial of service or kernel memory corruption if an attacker can trigger ethtool queries with crafted parameters.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2023-53142 depends largely on the deployment of affected Intel Ethernet hardware using the ice driver within their Linux-based infrastructure. Such hardware is prevalent in data centers, telecom equipment, and enterprise servers. Successful exploitation could lead to kernel memory corruption, potentially causing system instability, crashes, or denial of service. While there is no evidence of remote exploitation or privilege escalation, local attackers or malicious insiders with the ability to execute ethtool commands could trigger the vulnerability. This could disrupt critical network services or degrade system reliability. In sectors such as finance, telecommunications, and critical infrastructure—where Linux servers with high-speed Intel network cards are common—this vulnerability could impact availability and operational continuity. However, the lack of known exploits and the requirement for local access or specific conditions reduce the immediate risk. Still, unpatched systems remain vulnerable to potential future exploitation, which could be leveraged in targeted attacks or combined with other vulnerabilities for privilege escalation or persistent denial of service.

European organizations should prioritize updating their Linux kernels to versions that include the patch for CVE-2023-53142. Specifically, ensure that the ice driver is updated to the fixed version that correctly handles EEPROM block reads. Network administrators should audit systems using Intel Ethernet adapters with the ice driver and verify kernel versions. Restrict access to ethtool and similar utilities to trusted administrators only, as exploitation requires the ability to invoke ethtool with crafted parameters. Implement strict access controls and monitoring on systems with affected hardware to detect unusual ethtool usage or kernel errors. For critical systems, consider deploying kernel live patching solutions to apply fixes without downtime. Additionally, maintain robust system integrity monitoring to detect any anomalies caused by memory corruption. In environments where patching is delayed, consider isolating affected systems or limiting user privileges to reduce the attack surface. Finally, stay informed on vendor advisories and Linux kernel updates to promptly apply future security patches.