CVE-2023-33952

Privileged kernel code execution via vmw_buffer_object double-free

Published Jul 24, 2023 · Updated Feb 25, 2026

Double-free in the vmwgfx driver in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 and 9 allows local users with high privileges to execute kernel code. The vmwgfx buffer-object path drops GEM references before kernel operations finish, allowing userspace to destroy an object while it remains in use. Exploitation requires preexisting ability to execute high-privileged code on the host; success grants execution in the kernel context.

CVSS severity6.7
Medium
EPSS probability0.46%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Double-free in the vmwgfx driver in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 and 9 allows local users with high privileges to execute kernel code. The vmwgfx buffer-object path drops GEM references before kernel operations finish, allowing userspace to destroy an object while it remains in use. Exploitation requires preexisting ability to execute high-privileged code on the host; success grants execution in the kernel context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-33952
Published
Jul 24, 2023
Updated
Feb 25, 2026
Vendor
Red Hat
Product
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
Classifications
CWE-415, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 24, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Feb 25, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected versions are unavailable in this record. Check the vendor advisory for version and patch details.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Red Hat · Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8Affected versions are unavailable in this record.
Red Hat · Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.2 Extended Update SupportAffected versions are unavailable in this record.
Red Hat · Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9Affected versions are unavailable in this record.
Red Hat · Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.8 Extended Update SupportAffected versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

8.2Zero Day InitiativeCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.7NISTCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.7Red HatCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/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
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-415Double 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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