Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Linux kernel issue is in netfilter/nf_tables handling of expired duplicate set entries. The cited impact is availability: a local condition could cause disruption, not data theft or tampering. There is no provided evidence of active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat as a moderate kernel availability risk. It does not show evidence of data compromise, remote exploitation, or active exploitation, but Linux kernel denial-of-service issues deserve timely patching on shared or business-critical hosts.
Technical view
The bug involves nf_tables pipapo set logic incorrectly handling expired duplicate elements during insert, activate, remove, get, and deactivate paths. The kernel fix changes expired-element handling and removes asymmetric rel lookup behavior. CVSS is 6.2 with local attack vector and high availability impact only.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to Linux systems running affected kernel code or downstream kernels that backported it. The source names Linux and kernel version 6.4.11 plus several commit identifiers, but does not provide CPEs or distro package ranges.
Exploitation context
The source bundle marks KEV as false and provides no cited active exploitation. CVSS indicates local access, low complexity, no privileges, no user interaction, and availability impact only. No public exploit steps are included in the provided sources.
Researcher notes
The evidence is patch-centric and does not fully describe exploit mechanics or distro exposure. Focus validation on nf_tables-enabled kernels, pipapo set handling, and downstream backport status. Avoid assuming impact beyond availability unless vendor advisories add details.
Mitigation direction
- Check Linux distribution advisories for CVE-2023-52925 and mapped kernel package versions.
- Update affected kernels to vendor-supported builds containing the referenced stable fixes.
- Prioritize shared, multi-user, container-host, and exposed workload-hosting Linux systems.
- If patch timing is constrained, follow vendor guidance for temporary risk reduction.
Validation and detection
- Inventory running kernel versions across Linux fleets and compare with vendor CVE mappings.
- Confirm whether deployed kernels include the referenced nf_tables stable commits or downstream backports.
- Review vulnerability scanner findings for kernel-package evidence, not only upstream version strings.
- Track remediation through reboot completion, since kernel updates may not take effect immediately.
Public sources used
- CVE Program
- CVE List V5
- Linux stable commit 891ca5dfe3b718b441fc786014a7ba8f517da188
- Linux stable commit af78b0489e8898a8c9449ffc0fdd2e181916f0d4
- Linux stable commit 59ee68c437c562170265194a99698c805a686bb3
- Linux stable commit 156369a702c33ad5434a19c3a689bfb836d4e0b8
- Linux stable commit 7845914f45f066497ac75b30c50dbc735e84e884
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.
CVE-2023-52925 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
- Medium
- CVSS
- 6.2 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/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:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H2.53.6Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
6.2MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/891ca5dfe3b718b441fc786014a7ba8f517da188CVE reference
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/af78b0489e8898a8c9449ffc0fdd2e181916f0d4CVE reference
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/59ee68c437c562170265194a99698c805a686bb3CVE reference
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/156369a702c33ad5434a19c3a689bfb836d4e0b8CVE reference
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7845914f45f066497ac75b30c50dbc735e84e884CVE reference
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.
