CVE-2023-32233Public exploit

Local privilege escalation via anonymous-set use-after-free

Published May 8, 2023 · Updated May 5, 2025

Use-after-free in Linux kernel nf_tables through 6.3.1 allows local users to gain root privileges via crafted batch requests. nf_tables fails to mark a deleted bound anonymous set inactive during transaction preparation, so later updates in the batch use freed memory. Exploitation requires CAP_NET_ADMIN in a network namespace, typically obtained through enabled unprivileged user namespaces, and grants full root control.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability12.97%
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 Linux kernel nf_tables through 6.3.1 allows local users to gain root privileges via crafted batch requests. nf_tables fails to mark a deleted bound anonymous set inactive during transaction preparation, so later updates in the batch use freed memory. Exploitation requires CAP_NET_ADMIN in a network namespace, typically obtained through enabled unprivileged user namespaces, and grants full root control.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-32233
Published
May 8, 2023
Updated
May 5, 2025
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-416, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 8, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. May 5, 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?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

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

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

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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