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CVE Record

CVE-2023-53257: wifi: mac80211: check S1G action frame size

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: mac80211: check S1G action frame size Before checking the action code, check that it even exists in the frame.

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A Linux kernel Wi-Fi component may read an S1G action frame before confirming the frame is long enough. The CVSS rating is high because impact is scored high across confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Treat this as a kernel patching issue for Linux systems using affected Wi-Fi stacks.

Executive priority

Prioritize normal high-severity Linux kernel patching, especially for Wi-Fi-enabled assets and embedded systems. Escalate if a vendor advisory maps this to critical business systems or confirms reachable attack conditions in your environment.

Technical view

The issue is in mac80211 handling of S1G action frames. The kernel fix adds a size check before reading the action code. The supplied record lists Linux kernel versions including 5.15 through 6.6 as affected and references stable kernel commits resolving the flaw.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on Linux systems, appliances, or embedded devices running affected kernels with mac80211 Wi-Fi code present. The bundle does not identify specific distributions, device models, or whether S1G capability must be enabled.

Exploitation context

The CVSS vector is local, low complexity, low privileges, and no user interaction. The supplied bundle marks KEV as false and provides no evidence of active exploitation or public weaponization.

Researcher notes

Evidence is limited to the CVE record and kernel stable commits. The root issue is missing length validation before reading the S1G action code. Do not infer distro impact, exploitability beyond CVSS, or active exploitation without additional vendor evidence.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply a vendor or distribution kernel update that includes the referenced stable fixes.
  • Prioritize Linux endpoints, embedded devices, and appliances with Wi-Fi capability.
  • Check vendor guidance for any temporary mitigations before changing Wi-Fi behavior.
  • Track whether your distribution has backported the mac80211 fix.
  • Include this CVE in kernel patch compliance reporting.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across Wi-Fi-capable assets.
  • Confirm whether deployed kernels include one of the referenced stable fixes.
  • Review distribution advisories for CVE-2023-53257 backport status.
  • Verify affected assets use kernel mac80211 Wi-Fi components.
  • Monitor CVE and vendor updates for changed exploitation status.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
6

Public sources used

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

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.

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CVE-2023-53257 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
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

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
3Timeline events
1ADP providers
5Source links

SSVC decision data

CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: total

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
7.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9CISA-ADP

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2023-53257Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

ADP provider summaries

CISA-ADPCISA ADP Vulnrichment
cvssV3_1other:ssvc

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxf5a4c24e689f54e66201f04d343bdd2e8a1d7923, f5a4c24e689f54e66201f04d343bdd2e8a1d7923, f5a4c24e689f54e66201f04d343bdd2e8a1d7923, f5a4c24e689f54e66201f04d343bdd2e8a1d7923unaffected
LinuxLinux5.15, 0, 5.15.133, 6.1.55, 6.5.5, 6.6affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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