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CVE Record

CVE-2023-52924: netfilter: nf_tables: don't skip expired elements during walk

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: nf_tables: don't skip expired elements during walk There is an asymmetry between commit/abort and preparation phase if the following conditions are met: 1. set is a verdict map ("1.2.3.4 : jump foo") 2. timeouts are enabled In this case, following sequence is problematic: 1. element E in set S refers to chain C 2. userspace requests removal of set S 3. kernel does a set walk to decrement chain->use count for all elements from preparation phase 4. kernel does another set walk to remove elements from the commit phase (or another walk to do a chain->use increment for all elements from abort phase) If E has already expired in 1), it will be ignored during list walk, so its use count won't have been changed. Then, when set is culled, ->destroy callback will zap the element via nf_tables_set_elem_destroy(), but this function is only safe for elements that have been deactivated earlier from the preparation phase: lack of earlier deactivate removes the element but leaks the chain use count, which results in a WARN splat when the chain gets removed later, plus a leak of the nft_chain structure. Update pipapo_get() not to skip expired elements, otherwise flush command reports bogus ENOENT errors.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Linux kernel issue affects netfilter nf_tables handling of expired verdict-map elements with timeouts. In specific firewall rule conditions, cleanup can miss accounting updates, causing warnings and a kernel structure memory leak. The public data does not provide CVSS, confirmed exploitation, or impact beyond the described leak and bogus errors.

Executive priority

Track this as a kernel maintenance risk, not an emergency based on current evidence. Prioritize remediation where Linux hosts use nftables heavily for firewalling, routing, containers, or edge security controls, especially if kernel updates are already due.

Technical view

nf_tables set walks skipped expired elements during preparation versus commit or abort handling. For verdict maps with timeouts, an expired element referencing a chain could avoid use-count updates, then be destroyed later, leaking the nft_chain structure and producing WARN output. The fix changes lookup/walk behavior so expired elements are not skipped.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most plausible on Linux systems using nf_tables/netfilter with verdict maps and timeout-enabled sets. Systems not using nf_tables or those already carrying the referenced stable kernel fixes are less likely exposed. The source bundle does not identify distributions, packages, or default configurations.

Exploitation context

CISA KEV status is false in the provided bundle, and no cited source claims active exploitation. The source describes a kernel logic bug causing WARN output, bogus ENOENT errors, and memory leakage, but does not establish practical exploitability or privilege requirements.

Researcher notes

The key condition is the asymmetry between preparation and commit/abort walks when expired verdict-map elements reference chains. Evidence supports memory leak and WARN behavior; it does not support claims of remote exploitation, privilege escalation, or code execution.

Mitigation direction

  • Check vendor kernel advisories for CVE-2023-52924 coverage.
  • Prioritize kernel updates that include the referenced stable commits.
  • Inventory Linux hosts using nf_tables verdict maps with timeouts.
  • Monitor kernel logs for related nf_tables WARN messages.
  • Avoid treating workaround assumptions as fixes without vendor confirmation.

Validation and detection

  • Record kernel versions across Linux fleet.
  • Confirm whether nf_tables is enabled and in operational use.
  • Review firewall rules for verdict maps with timeout-enabled sets.
  • Map installed kernels to vendor advisories or referenced stable commits.
  • Check kernel logs for nf_tables WARN output or unexpected ENOENT flush errors.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
9

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-2023-52924 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
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
8Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux9d0982927e79049675cb6c6c04a0ebb3dad5a434, 9d0982927e79049675cb6c6c04a0ebb3dad5a434, 9d0982927e79049675cb6c6c04a0ebb3dad5a434, 9d0982927e79049675cb6c6c04a0ebb3dad5a434, 9d0982927e79049675cb6c6c04a0ebb3dad5a434, 9d0982927e79049675cb6c6c04a0ebb3dad5a434, 9d0982927e79049675cb6c6c04a0ebb3dad5a434unaffected
LinuxLinux4.1, 0, 4.19.316, 5.4.262, 5.10.198, 5.15.134, 6.1.56, 6.4.11, 6.5affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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