CVE-2023-1118

Local privilege escalation via ENE removal race

Published Mar 2, 2023 · Updated Apr 23, 2025

Use-after-free in the Linux kernel 6.3-rc1 ENE infrared driver allows local users to crash the system or gain kernel privileges. ene_remove() frees IRQ and I/O resources without first unregistering the RC device or synchronously cancelling tx_sim_timer, allowing ene_tx_irqsim() to access released state. Exploitation requires privileged local access to detach an ENE device while its transmit-simulation timer or receiver callbacks remain active.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.28%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use-after-free in the Linux kernel 6.3-rc1 ENE infrared driver allows local users to crash the system or gain kernel privileges. ene_remove() frees IRQ and I/O resources without first unregistering the RC device or synchronously cancelling tx_sim_timer, allowing ene_tx_irqsim() to access released state. Exploitation requires privileged local access to detach an ENE device while its transmit-simulation timer or receiver callbacks remain active.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-1118
Published
Mar 2, 2023
Updated
Apr 23, 2025
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux Kernel
Classifications
CWE-416, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Mar 2, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 23, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=Linux kernel 6.3-rc1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linux Kernelversion=Linux kernel 6.3-rc1

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.8CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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