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CVE Record

CVE-2023-53338: lwt: Fix return values of BPF xmit ops

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: lwt: Fix return values of BPF xmit ops BPF encap ops can return different types of positive values, such like NET_RX_DROP, NET_XMIT_CN, NETDEV_TX_BUSY, and so on, from function skb_do_redirect and bpf_lwt_xmit_reroute. At the xmit hook, such return values would be treated implicitly as LWTUNNEL_XMIT_CONTINUE in ip(6)_finish_output2. When this happens, skbs that have been freed would continue to the neighbor subsystem, causing use-after-free bug and kernel crashes. To fix the incorrect behavior, skb_do_redirect return values can be simply discarded, the same as tc-egress behavior. On the other hand, bpf_lwt_xmit_reroute returns useful errors to local senders, e.g. PMTU information. Thus convert its return values to avoid the conflict with LWTUNNEL_XMIT_CONTINUE.

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A Linux kernel networking bug can let a local low-privileged user trigger use-after-free behavior in BPF lightweight tunnel transmit handling. The source describes kernel crashes and CVSS marks high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact, so treat exposed multi-user Linux systems as a priority.

Executive priority

Prioritize normal emergency patch handling for exposed multi-user Linux infrastructure. There is no cited active exploitation, but the local low-privilege requirement and high impact make delayed remediation risky on shared hosts.

Technical view

The flaw is in Linux kernel lwt BPF xmit operations. Positive return values from skb_do_redirect and bpf_lwt_xmit_reroute could be interpreted as LWTUNNEL_XMIT_CONTINUE, allowing freed skbs to continue into the neighbor subsystem and causing CWE-416 use-after-free.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to affected Linux kernels using reachable BPF lightweight tunnel transmit paths. The bundle lists Linux kernel versions including 4.10, 5.4.257, 5.10.195, 5.15.132, 6.1.53, 6.4.16, 6.5.3, and 6.6 as affected, but distro backport status must be checked separately.

Exploitation context

The bundle does not report active exploitation, and KEV is false. CVSS indicates local attack, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, and high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Public evidence here supports crash/use-after-free risk, not remote exploitation.

Researcher notes

Evidence is strongest for the kernel root cause and fix direction from the CVE description and stable commit references. The bundle does not provide exploit details, distro-specific fixed package versions, or proof of in-the-wild exploitation.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply vendor or distribution kernel updates containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Prioritize shared Linux hosts, container platforms, and systems allowing local untrusted users.
  • Check whether custom kernels include the listed git.kernel.org stable commits.
  • If patching is delayed, reduce local untrusted shell access where feasible.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, workstations, and container hosts.
  • Map distro package versions to vendor advisories and stable kernel commits.
  • Review whether BPF lightweight tunnel features are enabled or used.
  • Confirm patched systems boot into the updated kernel, not an older installed kernel.
Prepared
Confidence
high
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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ATT&CK lookup starting points

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cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-416: Exact CWE lookup

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2023-53338 mapping review

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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
8Source 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-2023-53338Attack 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
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux3a0af8fd61f90920f6fa04e4f1e9a6a73c1b4fd2, 3a0af8fd61f90920f6fa04e4f1e9a6a73c1b4fd2, 3a0af8fd61f90920f6fa04e4f1e9a6a73c1b4fd2, 3a0af8fd61f90920f6fa04e4f1e9a6a73c1b4fd2, 3a0af8fd61f90920f6fa04e4f1e9a6a73c1b4fd2, 3a0af8fd61f90920f6fa04e4f1e9a6a73c1b4fd2, 3a0af8fd61f90920f6fa04e4f1e9a6a73c1b4fd2unaffected
LinuxLinux4.10, 0, 5.4.257, 5.10.195, 5.15.132, 6.1.53, 6.4.16, 6.5.3, 6.6affected
Weakness

CWE details

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

CWE-416 · source CWE mapping

Use After Free

Use After Free represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.