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CVE Record

CVE-2023-52925: netfilter: nf_tables: don't fail inserts if duplicate has expired

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: nf_tables: don't fail inserts if duplicate has expired nftables selftests fail: run-tests.sh testcases/sets/0044interval_overlap_0 Expected: 0-2 . 0-3, got: W: [FAILED] ./testcases/sets/0044interval_overlap_0: got 1 Insertion must ignore duplicate but expired entries. Moreover, there is a strange asymmetry in nft_pipapo_activate: It refetches the current element, whereas the other ->activate callbacks (bitmap, hash, rhash, rbtree) use elem->priv. Same for .remove: other set implementations take elem->priv, nft_pipapo_remove fetches elem->priv, then does a relookup, remove this. I suspect this was the reason for the change that prompted the removal of the expired check in pipapo_get() in the first place, but skipping exired elements there makes no sense to me, this helper is used for normal get requests, insertions (duplicate check) and deactivate callback. In first two cases expired elements must be skipped. For ->deactivate(), this gets called for DELSETELEM, so it seems to me that expired elements should be skipped as well, i.e. delete request should fail with -ENOENT error.

MediumCVSS 6.2Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

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.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
7

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-2023-52925 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
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

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.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
6Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

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.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
6.2CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H2.53.6Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

6.2Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2023-52925Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxb15ea4017af82011dd55225ce77cce3d4dfc169c, 7c7e658a36f8b1522bd3586d8137e5f93a25ddc5, 59dab3bf0b8fc08eb802721c0532f13dd89209b8, bd156ce9553dcaf2d6ee2c825d1a5a1718e86524, 24138933b97b055d486e8064b4a1721702442a9b, 94313a196b44184b5b52c1876da6a537701b425a, 1da4874d05da1526b11b82fc7f3c7ac38749ddf8unaffected
LinuxLinux6.4.11unaffected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.