Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a Linux kernel use-after-free bug in the CIFS/SMB client code. A low-privileged local user could potentially trigger memory corruption on affected systems, with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact according to CVSS. The sources do not show active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat as high priority for Linux fleets with local users or CIFS usage. Patch through normal kernel update channels, prioritizing shared servers and systems where local compromise would expose sensitive data or disrupt operations.
Technical view
The flaw is in smb2_compound_op in Linux CIFS handling. The kernel could free a cfile object before later use, creating a use-after-free condition found during KASAN stress testing. The listed stable commits move the free operation after the final use.
Likely exposure
Most relevant exposure is Linux systems running affected kernel versions with CIFS/SMB client functionality in use, such as SMB share mounts. The CVSS vector is local with low privileges required, so this is not described as a remote unauthenticated network issue.
Exploitation context
The CVE record marks this as CWE-416 and CVSS 7.8. KEV is false in the provided bundle, and no cited source states active exploitation. Evidence provided supports local exploitation potential, not confirmed public weaponization.
Researcher notes
The source evidence is kernel-focused and concise. It identifies a lifetime bug fixed by delaying cfile free in smb2_compound_op. The affected-version data is uneven, so validation should rely on distro advisories, kernel package changelogs, or presence of the stable fixes.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade to vendor-supported kernels containing the referenced stable fixes.
- Prioritize hosts that mount SMB/CIFS shares or allow local user access.
- Check Linux distribution advisories for backported fixed kernel packages.
- Reduce unnecessary local access on systems awaiting kernel updates.
Validation and detection
- Inventory kernel versions against the affected ranges in the CVE data.
- Identify systems using CIFS/SMB client mounts or related kernel modules.
- Confirm installed kernels include the referenced stable commit fixes or vendor backports.
- Review vulnerability scanner findings for CVE-2023-53377 after patching.
Public sources used
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-2023-53377 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/4fe07d55a5461e66a55fbefb57f85ff0facea32bCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b6353518ef8180816e863aa23b06456f395404d6CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d017880782cf71f8820ee4a2002843893176501dCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/33f736187d08f6bc822117629f263b97d3df4165CVE 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.