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CVE Record

CVE-2023-54035: netfilter: nf_tables: fix underflow in chain reference counter

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: nf_tables: fix underflow in chain reference counter Set element addition error path decrements reference counter on chains twice: once on element release and again via nft_data_release(). Then, d6b478666ffa ("netfilter: nf_tables: fix underflow in object reference counter") incorrectly fixed this by removing the stateful object reference count decrement. Restore the stateful object decrement as in b91d90368837 ("netfilter: nf_tables: fix leaking object reference count") and let nft_data_release() decrement the chain reference counter, so this is done only once.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is a Linux kernel bug in nftables reference counting. Under a specific error path, the kernel could decrement a chain reference counter incorrectly. The public bundle does not provide CVSS, exploitability, impact class, or active exploitation evidence, so urgency should be driven by kernel exposure and vendor guidance.

Executive priority

Treat this as a kernel hygiene item, not a confirmed emergency. Patch affected Linux fleets through normal expedited kernel maintenance, with higher priority for shared, exposed, or security-sensitive infrastructure.

Technical view

The resolved issue is in netfilter nf_tables. During set element addition failure handling, chain references could be decremented twice through element release and nft_data_release(). The fix restores stateful object decrement behavior while ensuring nft_data_release() handles the chain decrement only once.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux kernels carrying the affected nf_tables code, with the bundle listing Linux 6.4, 6.4.4, and 6.5 as affected entries. Distribution backports may change practical exposure.

Exploitation context

The provided sources do not state active exploitation, public exploit availability, attack vector, privileges required, or security impact. The CVE is not marked as CISA KEV in the bundle.

Researcher notes

The bundle describes the root cause and fix but omits CVSS, CWE, impact, and exploit prerequisites. Analysis should focus on version mapping, downstream backports, and whether reachable code paths exist in target kernels.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply vendor kernel updates that include the referenced stable nf_tables fixes.
  • Check distribution advisories before assuming upstream version numbers map directly.
  • Prioritize systems running affected Linux 6.4 or 6.5 lineage kernels.
  • Avoid custom kernel builds missing the referenced stable commits.
  • Monitor the CVE record and Linux stable updates for revised impact details.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory running Linux kernel versions across servers, appliances, and containers hosts.
  • Confirm whether nf_tables/netfilter support is present in deployed kernels.
  • Map installed kernel packages to vendor advisories or stable commit backports.
  • Verify updated systems include one of the referenced stable fixes.
  • Track exceptions where vendor guidance is unavailable or inconclusive.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

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

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CVE-2023-54035 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
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.

0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
0ADP providers
4Source links

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.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux35651fde1a7bb54dde0a46d35cd0d7136869ae86, 628bd3e49cba1c066228e23d71a852c23e26da73, 628bd3e49cba1c066228e23d71a852c23e26da73, bc9f791d2593f17e39f87c6e2b3a36549a3705b1, 3c7ec098e3b588434a8b07ea9b5b36f04cef1f50, a136b7942ad2a50de708f76ea299ccb45ac7a7f9, 25aa2ad37c2162be1c0bc4fe6397f7e4c13f00f8, d60be2da67d172aecf866302c91ea11533eca4d9, dc7cdf8cbcbf8b13de1df93f356ec04cdeef5c41, 4.19.316, 5.4.262, 5.10.188, 5.15.121, 6.3.10unaffected
LinuxLinux6.4, 0, 6.4.4, 6.5affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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