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CVE Record

CVE-2023-3390: Use-after-free in Linux kernel's netfilter subsystem

A use-after-free vulnerability was found in the Linux kernel's netfilter subsystem in net/netfilter/nf_tables_api.c. Mishandled error handling with NFT_MSG_NEWRULE makes it possible to use a dangling pointer in the same transaction causing a use-after-free vulnerability. This flaw allows a local attacker with user access to cause a privilege escalation issue. We recommend upgrading past commit 1240eb93f0616b21c675416516ff3d74798fdc97

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2023-3390 is a Linux kernel netfilter flaw that can let a local user gain higher privileges. It is not a remote, unauthenticated internet bug, but it matters on shared systems, servers with user accounts, and appliances using affected kernels.

Executive priority

Treat this as high-priority patching for Linux systems where untrusted or lower-privileged users can run code. It is less urgent than a proven remote wormable issue, but successful exploitation could give full system control.

Technical view

The flaw is a CWE-416 use-after-free in net/netfilter/nf_tables_api.c. Mishandled NFT_MSG_NEWRULE error handling can leave a dangling pointer usable in the same transaction, enabling local privilege escalation. The source recommends upgrading beyond commit 1240eb93f0616b21c675416516ff3d74798fdc97.

Likely exposure

Exposure is likely where Linux systems run affected kernel branches listed in the source, including 3.16, 4.15, 4.20, 5.5, 5.11, 5.16, or 6.2, or downstream vendor kernels that had not yet backported the fix.

Exploitation context

The provided CVE data requires local user access and rates attack complexity low with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. The bundle says KEV is false, and no provided source proves active exploitation.

Researcher notes

Focus triage on nf_tables in affected kernel builds and downstream backports. The key condition is local user access, with the vulnerable transaction path tied to NFT_MSG_NEWRULE error handling. Exploit status is not established by the provided evidence.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade to a kernel containing or superseding commit 1240eb93f0616b21c675416516ff3d74798fdc97.
  • Apply relevant Debian or vendor security updates where applicable.
  • Check NetApp guidance for affected NetApp-managed environments.
  • Prioritize shared, multi-user, and high-value Linux hosts.
  • If no vendor package is available, follow vendor kernel backport guidance.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, appliances, and managed images.
  • Confirm whether each kernel includes the referenced upstream fix commit or vendor backport.
  • Review Debian DSA-5448, DSA-5461, and LTS advisories for applicable packages.
  • Check vendor advisories for products embedding Linux kernels.
  • Verify remediation through package metadata, changelogs, or vendor bulletin status.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
9

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-416: Exact CWE lookup

Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.

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description · low confidence lookup

Privilege behavior lookup

The CVE wording references privilege impact, so privilege escalation and authorization behavior review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2023-3390 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
1ADP providers
11Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
7.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Google

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2023-3390Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

ADP provider summaries

CVECVE Program Container

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux Kernelkernel, 3.16, 4.15, 4.20, 5.5, 5.11, 5.16, 6.2unaffected
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-416

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.

CWE-416 · source CWE mapping

Use After Free

Use After Free represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.

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