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CVE-2023-0266

Linux Kernel Use-After-Free

7.9 HIGHActively exploited (CISA KEV)EPSS 3.70%
  1. Published30 Jan 2023
  2. Added to CISA KEV30 Mar 2023
  3. Remediation due20 Apr 2023
Actively exploited (CISA KEV)

Linux kernel contains a use-after-free vulnerability that allows for privilege escalation to gain ring0 access from the system user.

Added to KEV: 30 Mar 2023Federal remediation due: 20 Apr 2023

Description

A use after free vulnerability exists in the ALSA PCM package in the Linux Kernel. SNDRV_CTL_IOCTL_ELEM_{READ|WRITE}32 is missing locks that can be used in a use-after-free that can result in a priviledge escalation to gain ring0 access from the system user. We recommend upgrading past commit 56b88b50565cd8b946a2d00b0c83927b7ebb055e

CVSS 3.1 breakdown

Attack vectorAdjacent
Attack complexityHigh
Privileges requiredLow
User interactionNone
ScopeChanged
ConfidentialityLow
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:H

Affected products

Debian Linux10.0
Linux Kernel≥ 4.14 < 4.14.303 · ≥ 4.15 < 4.19.270 · ≥ 4.20 < 5.4.229 · ≥ 5.11 < 5.15.88

Remediation

Fixed in
Linux Kernel≥ 4.14.303

References

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Frequently asked

Is CVE-2023-0266 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2023-0266 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 30 Mar 2023.

How severe is CVE-2023-0266?

CVE-2023-0266 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.9, rated high. EPSS estimates a 3.70% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2023-0266?

Affected products include Debian Linux, Linux Kernel.

How do I fix CVE-2023-0266?

Upgrade affected software to a fixed version, for example Linux Kernel 4.14.303 or later, then confirm no affected versions remain in your inventory.

How Secuno handles this

Secuno correlates vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-0266 against the real software inventory on every managed device, as each hourly inventory arrives. Rather than a static severity, each match is scored in context: exploit availability, EPSS, the asset's exposure, and business criticality decide where it lands in the queue. Because it is on the CISA KEV list, a risk for it never ranks below high, and the update that fixes it moves to the Emergency patch lane. If an affected version is present anywhere across your portfolio, it surfaces automatically with a prioritised remediation path.

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Data from the NVD, CISA KEV catalog and FIRST EPSS. CVSS 3.1 base score shown where available.