Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2023-52923 is a high-severity Linux kernel issue in netfilter nf_tables, the packet filtering framework. A local, low-privileged user could potentially gain serious impact to confidentiality, integrity, or availability. It is not listed as CISA KEV, and the provided sources do not show active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat as a high-priority kernel patching item, especially for shared Linux environments. It is not currently supported by KEV evidence for emergency exploitation response, but local privilege-style kernel issues can become serious quickly when exploit details emerge.
Technical view
The fix replaces an older nf_tables set garbage-collection approach with the GC transaction API. The source description indicates buggy async GC handling around set element removal and visibility, addressed by marking elements dead and using transaction work. CVSS is 7.8: local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, high CIA impact.
Likely exposure
Linux systems running affected kernel builds with nf_tables support are the relevant exposure. The source lists Linux kernel version boundaries including 4.1, 4.19.316, 5.4.262, 5.10.198, 5.15.134, 6.1.56, 6.4.11, and 6.5, but distro backport status must be verified.
Exploitation context
The CVSS vector indicates exploitation requires local access and low privileges, not network-only access. The provided bundle does not include public exploit evidence, weaponization details, or KEV listing. Risk is higher on multi-user systems, shared hosting, and container hosts where untrusted users may execute local code.
Researcher notes
The public description is patch-oriented and does not assign a CWE. Analysis should focus on affected kernel lineage, nf_tables set backends, and whether downstream vendors backported the GC transaction API changes. Avoid assuming exploitability beyond the CVSS and kernel fix text.
Mitigation direction
- Apply vendor kernel updates that include the referenced stable Linux fixes.
- Verify distro advisories, because kernel security fixes are often backported without changing major versions.
- Prioritize multi-user, container-host, and internet-facing Linux servers with local user exposure.
- If patching is delayed, consult vendor guidance for supported interim controls.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, appliances, containers hosts, and cloud images.
- Check whether installed kernel packages include the referenced stable commits or distro backports.
- Confirm nf_tables/netfilter exposure according to local kernel configuration and firewall stack.
- Document systems pending reboot after kernel package installation.
Public sources used
- CVE Program
- CVE List V5
- Linux stable commit cb4d00b563675ba8ff6ef94b077f58d816f68ba3
- Linux stable commit c357648929c8dff891502349769aafb8f0452bc2
- Linux stable commit 146c76866795553dbc19998f36718d7986ad302b
- Linux stable commit 479a2cf5259347d6a1f658b0f791d27a34908e91
- Linux stable commit df650d6a4bf47248261b61ef6b174d7c54034d15
- Linux stable commit e4d71d6a9c7db93f7bf20c3a0f0659d63d7de681
- Linux stable commit f6c383b8c31a93752a52697f8430a71dcbc46adf
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
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CVE-2023-52923 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.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe 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:H1.85.9LinuxVulnerability 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
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.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cb4d00b563675ba8ff6ef94b077f58d816f68ba3CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c357648929c8dff891502349769aafb8f0452bc2CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/146c76866795553dbc19998f36718d7986ad302bCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/479a2cf5259347d6a1f658b0f791d27a34908e91CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/df650d6a4bf47248261b61ef6b174d7c54034d15CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e4d71d6a9c7db93f7bf20c3a0f0659d63d7de681CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f6c383b8c31a93752a52697f8430a71dcbc46adfCVE 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.