CVE-2023-52779
Linux Kernel Overlayfs Ecryptfs Null Pointer Dereference Vulnerability
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fs: Pass AT_GETATTR_NOSEC flag to getattr interface function When vfs_getattr_nosec() calls a filesystem's getattr interface function then the 'nosec' should propagate into this function so that vfs_getattr_nosec() can again be called from the filesystem's gettattr rather than vfs_getattr(). The latter would add unnecessary security checks that the initial vfs_getattr_nosec() call wanted to avoid. Therefore, introduce the getattr flag GETATTR_NOSEC and allow to pass with the new getattr_flags parameter to the getattr interface function. In overlayfs and ecryptfs use this flag to determine which one of the two functions to call. In a recent code change introduced to IMA vfs_getattr_nosec() ended up calling vfs_getattr() in overlayfs, which in turn called security_inode_getattr() on an exiting process that did not have current->fs set anymore, which then caused a kernel NULL pointer dereference. With this change the call to security_inode_getattr() can be avoided, thus avoiding the NULL pointer dereference.
INFO
Published Date :
May 21, 2024, 4:15 p.m.
Last Modified :
April 2, 2025, 3:02 p.m.
Source :
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Remotely Exploitable :
No
Impact Score :
3.6
Exploitability Score :
1.8
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2023-52779.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2023-52779 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2023-52779 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
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Initial Analysis by [email protected]
Apr. 02, 2025
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CWE CWE-476 Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.7:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.7:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:* *cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 6.5 up to (excluding) 6.6.4 Added Reference Type CVE: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3fb0fa08641903304b9d81d52a379ff031dc41d4 Types: Patch Added Reference Type kernel.org: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3fb0fa08641903304b9d81d52a379ff031dc41d4 Types: Patch Added Reference Type CVE: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8a924db2d7b5eb69ba08b1a0af46e9f1359a9bdf Types: Patch Added Reference Type kernel.org: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8a924db2d7b5eb69ba08b1a0af46e9f1359a9bdf Types: Patch -
CVE Modified by af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Nov. 21, 2024
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3fb0fa08641903304b9d81d52a379ff031dc41d4 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8a924db2d7b5eb69ba08b1a0af46e9f1359a9bdf -
CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Nov. 06, 2024
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CVSS V3.1 CISA-ADP AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H -
CVE Modified by 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
May. 29, 2024
Action Type Old Value New Value -
CVE Received by 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
May. 21, 2024
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fs: Pass AT_GETATTR_NOSEC flag to getattr interface function When vfs_getattr_nosec() calls a filesystem's getattr interface function then the 'nosec' should propagate into this function so that vfs_getattr_nosec() can again be called from the filesystem's gettattr rather than vfs_getattr(). The latter would add unnecessary security checks that the initial vfs_getattr_nosec() call wanted to avoid. Therefore, introduce the getattr flag GETATTR_NOSEC and allow to pass with the new getattr_flags parameter to the getattr interface function. In overlayfs and ecryptfs use this flag to determine which one of the two functions to call. In a recent code change introduced to IMA vfs_getattr_nosec() ended up calling vfs_getattr() in overlayfs, which in turn called security_inode_getattr() on an exiting process that did not have current->fs set anymore, which then caused a kernel NULL pointer dereference. With this change the call to security_inode_getattr() can be avoided, thus avoiding the NULL pointer dereference. Added Reference kernel.org https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3fb0fa08641903304b9d81d52a379ff031dc41d4 [No types assigned] Added Reference kernel.org https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8a924db2d7b5eb69ba08b1a0af46e9f1359a9bdf [No types assigned]
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2023-52779 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2023-52779
weaknesses.