CVE-2023-3212

Kernel panic via freed journal dereference

Published Jun 23, 2023 · Updated Aug 2, 2024

NULL pointer dereference in Linux Kernel before 6.4-rc2 allows local users to cause a kernel panic via corrupt GFS2 filesystems. In gfs2_evict_inode, eviction references the journal descriptor after it has been freed and cleared, dereferencing NULL. The attacker needs privileged local access and a corrupt GFS2 filesystem; the bounded impact is denial of service through a kernel panic.

CVSS severity4.4
Medium
EPSS probability0.26%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

NULL pointer dereference in Linux Kernel before 6.4-rc2 allows local users to cause a kernel panic via corrupt GFS2 filesystems. In gfs2_evict_inode, eviction references the journal descriptor after it has been freed and cleared, dereferencing NULL. The attacker needs privileged local access and a corrupt GFS2 filesystem; the bounded impact is denial of service through a kernel panic.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-3212
Published
Jun 23, 2023
Updated
Aug 2, 2024
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux Kernel
Classifications
CWE-476, T1499.001
Attack vector
local
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 23, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 2, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

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  1. Affected versionversion=Fixed in kernel 6.4-rc2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linux Kernelversion=Fixed in kernel 6.4-rc2

Published CVSS scores

4.4NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/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.

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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
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-476NULL Pointer Dereference
T1499.001OS Exhaustion Flood

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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