Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a Linux kernel flaw in the Intel i915 graphics driver. A local user could potentially trigger a use-after-free condition by racing virtual memory handling, creating risk to confidentiality, integrity, and availability on affected Linux systems.
Executive priority
Treat as high priority where affected Linux endpoints or shared systems use Intel i915 graphics. It is not described as remotely exploitable, but local privilege and stability impacts can still create material operational risk.
Technical view
CVE-2023-52931 is a CWE-416 use-after-free in drm/i915 VM handling. The source says a VM became visible to userspace before an extra reference was taken, allowing a race with VM close. CVSS 3.1 is 7.8 with local, low-complexity, low-privilege exploitation characteristics.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on Linux systems running affected kernel versions with the drm/i915 driver in use, especially Intel GPU workstations, laptops, and multi-user Linux environments. The source does not identify specific distributions or downstream package versions.
Exploitation context
The provided bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited evidence of active exploitation. The CVSS vector indicates local authenticated access is required, with no user interaction, and potential high impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Researcher notes
The core issue is reference ordering around publishing the VM into vm_xa. Evidence is limited to the CVE description, CVSS data, and Linux stable commit references. No exploit details, distribution mapping, or confirmed exploitation are provided in the bundle.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade to a vendor-supported kernel containing the cited stable fixes.
- Check your Linux distribution advisory for exact fixed package versions.
- Prioritize multi-user systems and endpoints with Intel i915 graphics enabled.
- Limit unnecessary local shell access until patched.
- Do not rely on unverified third-party patch guidance.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Linux kernel versions across affected assets.
- Confirm whether drm/i915 is present and used on each system.
- Compare installed kernels against vendor advisories and the cited stable commits.
- Review local-user exposure on shared workstations and developer systems.
- Track remediation through kernel package update records.
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-2023-52931 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
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:H1.85.9CISA-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
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/764accc2c1b8fd1507be2e7f436c94cdce887a00CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/41d419382ec7e257e54b7b6ff0d3623aafb1316dCVE 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.