CVE-2023-33203: Race Condition

Published May 2, 2023
·
Updated

In emacprobe, &adpt->workthread is bound with emacworkthread. Then it will be started by timeout handler emactxtimeout or a IRQ handler emacisr. If we remove the driver which will call emacremove to make cleanup, there may be a unfinished work. This could lead to a use-after-free.

Upstream fix: https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/6b6bc5b8bd2d

Other sources

Linux Kernel could allow a physical attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system, caused by a race condition in drivers/net/ethernet/qualcomm/emac/emac.c. By unplugging an EMAC-based device, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to trigger a use-after-free and execute arbitrary code on the system.

IBM

The Linux kernel before 6.2.9 has a race condition and resultant use-after-free in drivers/net/ethernet/qualcomm/emac/emac.c if a physically proximate attacker unplugs an emac based device.

Launchpad

Affected Software

7 affected componentsFixes available
redhat/kernel<6.3
6.3
Linux Linux kernel<6.2.9
redhat Enterprise Linux=8.0
redhat Enterprise Linux=9.0
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

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.10.223-1Fixed in 5.10.234-1Fixed in 6.1.129-1Fixed in 6.1.135-1Fixed in 6.12.25-1Fixed in 6.12.27-1
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.3
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade linux kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.2.9
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Patch 6b6bc5b8bd2d

Event History

May 2, 2023
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·05:04 PM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
May 18, 2023
CVE Published
via MITRE·12:00 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·12:00 AM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·08:15 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Jan 12, 2024
Data Sourced
via Launchpad·12:20 AM
Description
Apr 28, 2025
Data Sourced
via Ubuntu·02:13 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software
May 30, 56190
Event
via IBM·10:58 AM

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2023-33203?

CVE-2023-33203 is classified as a high severity vulnerability due to the potential for a use-after-free condition.

2

How do I fix CVE-2023-33203?

To fix CVE-2023-33203, update to kernel version 6.3 or later for Red Hat or relevant Debian packages.

3

Which systems are affected by CVE-2023-33203?

CVE-2023-33203 affects certain versions of the Linux kernel, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.0 and 9.0, and IBM Security Verify Governance up to version ISVG 10.0.2.

4

What could happen if CVE-2023-33203 is exploited?

Exploitation of CVE-2023-33203 could lead to system instability, crashes, or the execution of arbitrary code due to unmanaged memory issues.

5

Is CVE-2023-33203 a critical vulnerability?

While CVE-2023-33203 is high risk, its criticality depends on the specific environment and exposure of the affected systems.

Contact

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