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CVE Record

CVE-2023-54280: cifs: fix potential race when tree connecting ipc

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: cifs: fix potential race when tree connecting ipc Protect access of TCP_Server_Info::hostname when building the ipc tree name as it might get freed in cifsd thread and thus causing an use-after-free bug in __tree_connect_dfs_target(). Also, while at it, update status of IPC tcon on success and then avoid any extra tree connects.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2023-54280 is a Linux kernel CIFS client memory-safety issue. A race while connecting to an IPC tree can access a hostname after it has been freed. The public record does not provide CVSS, confirmed impact, or active exploitation evidence.

Executive priority

Treat this as a patch-tracking item unless CIFS is heavily used in critical environments. Escalate remediation for systems that depend on SMB/CIFS mounts, but avoid assuming active exploitation from the current evidence.

Technical view

The issue is a potential use-after-free in CIFS during IPC tree connection. Access to TCP_Server_Info::hostname was not sufficiently protected while building the IPC tree name in __tree_connect_dfs_target(). Stable fixes protect that access and update IPC tree connection status on success.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on Linux systems using the CIFS/SMB client, especially where affected kernel versions are present. Systems that do not mount or use CIFS are less likely to be exposed, but kernel version and configuration should be verified.

Exploitation context

The source bundle marks KEV as false and provides no cited evidence of active exploitation. The record describes a race and use-after-free condition, but does not characterize reliable exploitability, attacker prerequisites, or real-world attacks.

Researcher notes

Public detail is limited to the kernel resolution text and stable commit references. No CWE, CVSS, exploit status, or complete product matrix is provided. Validate against downstream distribution advisories because kernel fixes are often backported without changing major version strings.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a vendor-supported kernel containing the stable CIFS fixes.
  • Check distribution advisories for backported fixes matching the referenced commits.
  • Prioritize systems that mount SMB/CIFS shares or use DFS paths.
  • Disable or remove unnecessary CIFS mounts where operationally feasible.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions against the CVE affected-version data.
  • Confirm whether CIFS/SMB client functionality is enabled or used.
  • Verify fixed stable commits or distribution backports are present.
  • Review SMB/CIFS mount usage on production and high-availability systems.
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-2023-54280 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
LinuxLinuxc88f7dcd6d6429197fc2fd87b54a894ffcd48e8e, c88f7dcd6d6429197fc2fd87b54a894ffcd48e8e, c88f7dcd6d6429197fc2fd87b54a894ffcd48e8e, 81d583baa5f1abd73c755ce1992929debd20b687, 5.15.81unaffected
LinuxLinux5.16, 0, 6.2.15, 6.3.2, 6.4affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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