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CVE Record

CVE-2023-52472: crypto: rsa - add a check for allocation failure

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: crypto: rsa - add a check for allocation failure Static checkers insist that the mpi_alloc() allocation can fail so add a check to prevent a NULL dereference. Small allocations like this can't actually fail in current kernels, but adding a check is very simple and makes the static checkers happy.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysislow

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2023-52472 is a Linux kernel issue in RSA crypto handling where an unchecked memory allocation could lead to a NULL pointer dereference. The upstream note says this small allocation cannot actually fail in current kernels, so practical impact appears limited based on available sources.

Executive priority

Treat as routine Linux kernel maintenance, not an emergency, unless a vendor advisory for your environment raises severity. The available evidence suggests low practical risk and no known active exploitation.

Technical view

The resolved kernel change adds a NULL check after mpi_alloc() in crypto/rsa code. The CVE description frames this as a static-checker-driven hardening fix to prevent NULL dereference if allocation failed. No CVSS, CWE, or detailed impact statement is provided in the source bundle.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to Linux systems running affected kernel versions or affected downstream builds. The bundle lists Linux kernel versions including 6.5, 6.6.14, 6.7.2, and 6.8, plus commit identifiers, but distro-specific affected ranges require vendor confirmation.

Exploitation context

No active exploitation is indicated. The CVE is not listed as KEV in the provided data, and the upstream description says the allocation cannot actually fail in current kernels. No public exploit evidence is provided in the source bundle.

Researcher notes

This appears to be a defensive NULL-check addition in Linux crypto RSA code. The main uncertainty is downstream version mapping: the CVE bundle gives upstream versions and commits, but distribution kernels may backport fixes without changing major version numbers.

Mitigation direction

  • Check Linux distribution advisories for CVE-2023-52472 applicability and backports.
  • Update to a vendor-supported kernel containing the upstream RSA allocation-check fix.
  • Prioritize routine patch cycles unless vendor guidance indicates higher urgency.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, appliances, containers, and cloud images.
  • Compare installed kernels against distribution advisories for CVE-2023-52472.
  • Confirm patched kernels include the referenced upstream stable commits or vendor backports.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

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

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CVE-2023-52472 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
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.

0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
2ADP providers
4Source links

SSVC decision data

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

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

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux6637e11e4ad22ff03183da0dbd36d65c98b81cf7, 6637e11e4ad22ff03183da0dbd36d65c98b81cf7, 6637e11e4ad22ff03183da0dbd36d65c98b81cf7unaffected
LinuxLinux6.5, 0, 6.6.14, 6.7.2, 6.8affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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