CVE-2023-52909: nfsd: fix handling of cached open files in nfsd4_open codepath
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
nfsd: fix handling of cached open files in nfsd4_open codepath
Commit fb70bf124b05 ("NFSD: Instantiate a struct file when creating a
regular NFSv4 file") added the ability to cache an open fd over a
compound. There are a couple of problems with the way this currently
works:
It's racy, as a newly-created nfsd_file can end up with its PENDING bit
cleared while the nf is hashed, and the nf_file pointer is still zeroed
out. Other tasks can find it in this state and they expect to see a
valid nf_file, and can oops if nf_file is NULL.
Also, there is no guarantee that we'll end up creating a new nfsd_file
if one is already in the hash. If an extant entry is in the hash with a
valid nf_file, nfs4_get_vfs_file will clobber its nf_file pointer with
the value of op_file and the old nf_file will leak.
Fix both issues by making a new nfsd_file_acquirei_opened variant that
takes an optional file pointer. If one is present when this is called,
we'll take a new reference to it instead of trying to open the file. If
the nfsd_file already has a valid nf_file, we'll just ignore the
optional file and pass the nfsd_file back as-is.
Also rework the tracepoints a bit to allow for an "opened" variant and
don't try to avoid counting acquisitions in the case where we already
have a cached open file.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2023-52909 is a Linux kernel NFS server flaw that can crash the kernel under certain NFSv4 open-file handling races. The business risk is service outage for systems acting as NFS servers. Public sources do not show active exploitation, and the issue is not listed as CISA KEV in the provided data.
Executive priority
Prioritize patching on production NFS servers, especially those supporting critical workloads or reachable beyond tightly controlled networks. This is mainly an outage risk, not a confirmed breach risk. Coordinate updates through normal kernel maintenance windows where possible, with higher urgency for exposed NFS infrastructure.
Technical view
The bug is in nfsd4_open handling of cached open files. A race can expose an nfsd_file with a NULL nf_file pointer, causing an oops. Another path can overwrite an existing nf_file pointer, leaking the old file reference. CVSS 3.1 is 7.5: network-reachable, unauthenticated, availability impact only.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most relevant to Linux systems running the kernel NFS server, especially NFSv4. Systems not providing NFS service are less likely to be reachable through this flaw. The provided affected data references Linux versions including 5.19, 6.1.7, and 6.2, but exact vendor package ranges require vendor confirmation.
Exploitation context
The CVSS vector indicates remote, low-complexity, unauthenticated availability impact. The provided sources do not include exploit publication or active exploitation evidence. Treat this as a denial-of-service risk against reachable NFS servers rather than a confirmed data-theft or code-execution issue.
Researcher notes
Analysis is limited to the CVE record and referenced Linux stable commits. The source bundle provides commit identifiers and CVSS but no distribution-specific advisories, exploit reports, or detailed affected-version ranges. Validate exposure through kernel build provenance and NFS service reachability rather than version strings alone.
Mitigation direction
Apply Linux kernel updates containing the referenced stable fixes.
Prioritize externally reachable or business-critical NFS servers.
If updates are unavailable, check Linux distribution vendor guidance.
Restrict NFS exposure to trusted networks where operationally possible.
Review firewall and export policies for unnecessary NFS access.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux hosts running kernel nfsd/NFS server services.
Confirm whether NFSv4 is enabled and reachable.
Compare running kernel packages against vendor advisories and fixed builds.
Check whether referenced stable commits are included in deployed kernels.
Review system logs for kernel oops or nfsd instability.
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-2023-52909 mapping review
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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.
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.