CVE-2023-1073: Buffer Overflow

Published Feb 26, 2023
·
Updated

A flaw found in the Linux Kernel. The missing check causes a type confusion when issuing a listentry() on an empty reportlist. The problem is caused by the assumption that the device must have valid reportlist. While this will be true for all normal HID devices, a suitably malicious device can violate the assumption.

References: https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/next/linux-next.git/commit/?id=b12fece4c64857e5fab4290bf01b2e0317a88456 https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/01/17/3

Other sources

A memory corruption flaw was found in the Linux kernel’s human interface device (HID) subsystem in how a user inserts a malicious USB device. This flaw allows a local user to crash or potentially escalate their privileges on the system.

Launchpad

Linux Kernel could allow a physical authenticated attacker to gain elevated privileges on the system, caused by a memory corruption flaw in the human interface device (HID) subsystem. By using a specially crafted USB device , an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges or cause a denial of service condition.

IBM

Affected Software

9 affected componentsFixes available
redhat/kernel<6.1.9
6.1.9
Linux Linux kernel
redhat Enterprise Linux=7.0
redhat Enterprise Linux=8.0
redhat Enterprise Linux=9.0
Fedoraproject Fedora=37
IBM Security Verify Governance, Identity Manager software component<=ISVG 10.0.2
IBM Security Verify Governance, Identity Manager virtual appliance component<=ISVG 10.0.2
debian/linux
5.10.223-15.10.234-16.1.129-16.1.135-16.12.25-16.12.27-1

Event History

Feb 26, 2023
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·12:50 PM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Mar 27, 2023
CVE Published
via MITRE·12:00 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·12:00 AM
DescriptionWeakness
Jan 12, 2024
Data Sourced
via Launchpad·12:13 AM
Description
Apr 28, 2025
Data Sourced
via Ubuntu·05:20 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2023-1073?

CVE-2023-1073 is considered to have a critical severity due to its potential exploitation by malicious devices.

2

How do I fix CVE-2023-1073?

To fix CVE-2023-1073, you should upgrade your Linux kernel to versions 5.10.223-1, 5.10.226-1, 6.1.119-1, 6.1.123-1, 6.12.11-1, or 6.12.12-1, depending on your distribution.

3

Which systems are affected by CVE-2023-1073?

CVE-2023-1073 affects various Linux kernel versions across distributions such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.0-9.0 and Fedora 37.

4

What causes CVE-2023-1073 vulnerability?

CVE-2023-1073 is caused by a missing check in the Linux kernel, leading to type confusion when the list_entry() function is executed on an empty report_list.

5

Can CVE-2023-1073 be exploited remotely?

Yes, CVE-2023-1073 can be exploited by a suitably malicious device connected to the system.

Contact

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