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CVE Record

CVE-2023-52444: f2fs: fix to avoid dirent corruption

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: f2fs: fix to avoid dirent corruption As Al reported in link[1]: f2fs_rename() ... if (old_dir != new_dir && !whiteout) f2fs_set_link(old_inode, old_dir_entry, old_dir_page, new_dir); else f2fs_put_page(old_dir_page, 0); You want correct inumber in the ".." link. And cross-directory rename does move the source to new parent, even if you'd been asked to leave a whiteout in the old place. [1] https://lore.kernel.org/all/20231017055040.GN800259@ZenIV/ With below testcase, it may cause dirent corruption, due to it missed to call f2fs_set_link() to update ".." link to new directory. - mkdir -p dir/foo - renameat2 -w dir/foo bar [ASSERT] (__chk_dots_dentries:1421) --> Bad inode number[0x4] for '..', parent parent ino is [0x3] [FSCK] other corrupted bugs [Fail]

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A Linux F2FS filesystem flaw can corrupt directory metadata during a cross-directory rename that leaves a whiteout. Exploitation requires local access and filesystem permissions, but successful triggering may threaten data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Systems not using F2FS are unlikely to be exposed.

Executive priority

Prioritize affected multi-user or untrusted-workload systems using F2FS. Patch through supported distribution channels on an accelerated schedule, while confirming backups and filesystem health. Lower the priority for systems demonstrably not using F2FS. No evidence in the supplied sources supports emergency response for active exploitation.

Technical view

The vulnerable F2FS rename path can fail to update the moved directory’s “..” entry when a cross-directory rename creates a whiteout. The stale parent inode reference causes directory-entry corruption detectable by filesystem checking. The supplied CVSS 3.1 score is 7.8, with local, low-privilege access required and no user interaction.

Likely exposure

Exposure is concentrated on Linux systems with F2FS filesystems where local users or workloads can perform affected rename operations. Mobile, embedded, or storage-focused deployments may warrant particular inventory attention, although the sources do not identify specific devices. The supplied version data is ambiguous, so distributor-specific status must be verified.

Exploitation context

The source bundle provides no evidence of active exploitation, and the CVE is not identified as CISA KEV-listed. Triggering is local, low complexity, and requires low privileges. The documented consequence is filesystem metadata corruption; the sources do not establish remote exploitation, public weaponization, or observed attacks.

Researcher notes

The core invariant failure is an incorrect “..” inode after moving a directory across parents while requesting a whiteout. Upstream stable commits are supplied for multiple kernel lines, but the bundle does not clearly map every affected and fixed release. Validate backports by commit or distributor advisory rather than relying solely on kernel version strings.

Mitigation direction

  • Install a vendor-supported kernel update containing the referenced upstream F2FS correction.
  • Confirm the selected distribution package backports the fix; version numbers alone may be misleading.
  • Where updates are delayed, limit untrusted local access to systems using F2FS.
  • Review Linux distributor guidance before applying additional workarounds not specified by the sources.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory systems with mounted or configured F2FS filesystems.
  • Record running kernel and package versions, then compare them with vendor security advisories.
  • Verify the vendor kernel includes the applicable referenced stable fix.
  • Assess filesystem integrity using vendor-approved procedures, especially after suspicious rename activity or errors.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
7

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

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CVE-2023-52444 mapping review

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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
2ADP providers
11Source links

SSVC decision data

CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: partial

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:H1.85.9Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2023-52444Attack 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

CISA-ADPCISA ADP Vulnrichment
other:ssvc
CVECVE Program Container
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux7e01e7ad746bc8198a8b46163ddc73a1c7d22339, 7e01e7ad746bc8198a8b46163ddc73a1c7d22339, 7e01e7ad746bc8198a8b46163ddc73a1c7d22339, 7e01e7ad746bc8198a8b46163ddc73a1c7d22339, 7e01e7ad746bc8198a8b46163ddc73a1c7d22339, 7e01e7ad746bc8198a8b46163ddc73a1c7d22339, 7e01e7ad746bc8198a8b46163ddc73a1c7d22339, 7e01e7ad746bc8198a8b46163ddc73a1c7d22339unaffected
LinuxLinux4.2, 0, 4.19.306, 5.4.268, 5.10.209, 5.15.148, 6.1.75, 6.6.14, 6.7.2, 6.8affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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