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CVE Record

CVE-2023-54276: nfsd: move init of percpu reply_cache_stats counters back to nfsd_init_net

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: nfsd: move init of percpu reply_cache_stats counters back to nfsd_init_net Commit f5f9d4a314da ("nfsd: move reply cache initialization into nfsd startup") moved the initialization of the reply cache into nfsd startup, but didn't account for the stats counters, which can be accessed before nfsd is ever started. The result can be a NULL pointer dereference when someone accesses /proc/fs/nfsd/reply_cache_stats while nfsd is still shut down. This is a regression and a user-triggerable oops in the right situation: - non-x86_64 arch - /proc/fs/nfsd is mounted in the namespace - nfsd is not started in the namespace - unprivileged user calls "cat /proc/fs/nfsd/reply_cache_stats" Although this is easy to trigger on some arches (like aarch64), on x86_64, calling this_cpu_ptr(NULL) evidently returns a pointer to the fixed_percpu_data. That struct looks just enough like a newly initialized percpu var to allow nfsd_reply_cache_stats_show to access it without Oopsing. Move the initialization of the per-net+per-cpu reply-cache counters back into nfsd_init_net, while leaving the rest of the reply cache allocations to be done at nfsd startup time. Kudos to Eirik who did most of the legwork to track this down.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2023-54276 is a Linux kernel NFS server regression that can let a local unprivileged user trigger a kernel oops under specific conditions. The impact is availability-focused: affected systems may crash or become unstable when NFS reply-cache statistics are read before nfsd has started.

Executive priority

Treat as a focused stability risk, not a broad internet-facing emergency. Patch through normal kernel maintenance, with higher priority for aarch64 or other non-x86_64 systems where local users or workloads can reach nfsd proc entries.

Technical view

The regression moved NFS reply-cache initialization into nfsd startup but left per-CPU stats reachable earlier. On some non-x86_64 architectures, accessing /proc/fs/nfsd/reply_cache_stats before nfsd starts can dereference a NULL pointer. Kernel stable commits move stats initialization back to nfsd_init_net.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux systems with affected kernel code, /proc/fs/nfsd mounted in the relevant namespace, nfsd not started there, and an architecture where the NULL per-CPU pointer access oopses. The source specifically notes non-x86_64 systems such as aarch64 are easier to trigger.

Exploitation context

The source describes a user-triggerable local oops, not remote code execution. KEV status is false, and the provided bundle contains no evidence of active exploitation. Preconditions are specific and include local unprivileged access plus NFS proc filesystem state.

Researcher notes

The vulnerability hinges on initialization ordering for per-net and per-CPU reply-cache counters. The source states x86_64 may avoid the oops because this_cpu_ptr(NULL) maps to fixed_percpu_data, so architecture behavior materially affects reproducibility.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade to a kernel containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Prioritize non-x86_64 Linux systems using or exposing nfsd proc interfaces.
  • Check Linux distribution advisories for backported fixes and package versions.
  • If upgrade is delayed, review whether nfsd proc exposure is necessary in namespaces.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions and vendor backport status.
  • Identify systems running affected kernel builds with NFS server components present.
  • Review namespaces where /proc/fs/nfsd is mounted while nfsd is stopped.
  • Confirm remediation by matching installed kernels to vendor-fixed or stable-fixed builds.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
7

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

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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
6Source 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

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Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux4e18b58b106e34ac69d3052dd91f520bd83cf2fc, 70fdee548c036c6bdb496f284c9e78f1654b6dd0, e7e571ed4ec7bb50136233d8e7b986efef2af8c1, f5f9d4a314da88c0a5faa6d168bf69081b7a25ae, f5f9d4a314da88c0a5faa6d168bf69081b7a25aeunaffected
LinuxLinux6.3, 0, 6.4.4, 6.5affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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