Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2023-52921 is a Linux kernel flaw in the AMDGPU graphics driver path. A local user could potentially trigger a use-after-free condition, which the CVSS rating treats as capable of compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability. This is not a remote internet-facing issue based on the provided sources.
Executive priority
Treat as a high-priority patching item for Linux endpoints, workstations, and GPU-enabled servers with local users. It is less urgent than a remotely exploitable internet-facing flaw, but local privilege paths can materially increase breach impact.
Technical view
The issue is a CWE-416 use-after-free in drm/amdgpu, specifically amdgpu_cs_pass1(). The kernel fix notes that a loop index needed resetting before freeing chunk data because a gang_size check occurred outside the chunk parsing loop. CVSS 3.1 is 7.8: local, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most relevant to Linux systems running affected kernel versions with the amdgpu driver path present. The provided affected data lists Linux 6.2 through 6.5 context and 6.4.11, but version details appear limited and should be validated against vendor kernels.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not show known active exploitation, and the CVE is not marked KEV. Exploitation requires local access with low privileges. Impact could include privilege escalation or system compromise effects, but the sources do not provide exploit mechanics.
Researcher notes
The public record identifies the bug class, affected kernel component, CVSS vector, and two upstream stable commits. It does not provide exploit evidence or detailed affected distribution package mappings. Distribution backport verification is essential.
Mitigation direction
- Prioritize kernel updates from your Linux distribution or appliance vendor.
- Confirm the vendor kernel includes one of the referenced stable fixes.
- If updates are delayed, review vendor guidance for any amdgpu-specific mitigations.
- Limit local shell access on systems that cannot be promptly updated.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Linux hosts and record kernel versions.
- Identify systems using AMD GPUs or the amdgpu kernel driver.
- Compare installed kernels against vendor advisories for CVE-2023-52921.
- Verify patch inclusion using distribution changelogs or referenced kernel commits.
- Monitor for vendor-specific backports, which may not change upstream version numbers.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
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-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.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2023-52921 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- 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
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.
SSVC decision data
CVSS vector scores
2 official scoresWe 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.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9LinuxCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9CISA-ADPVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Vulnerability timeline
Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.
- CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
- CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
- CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.
ADP provider summaries
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e08e9dd09809b16f8f8cee8c466841b33d24ed96CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/90e065677e0362a777b9db97ea21d43a39211399CVE reference, Linux
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Use After Free
Use After Free represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.