Kernel code execution via dynptr type confusion
Published Oct 4, 2023 · Updated Nov 6, 2025
Improper input validation in the Linux kernel eBPF subsystem allows local users with CAP_BPF to execute code in kernel context. The verifier mishandles overlapping dynamic-pointer stack slots, allowing crafted eBPF programs to corrupt dynptr size metadata and gain out-of-bounds read and write access. Exploitation requires CAP_BPF and can escalate that privileged local context to full kernel control, affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Summary
What happened
Improper input validation in the Linux kernel eBPF subsystem allows local users with CAP_BPF to execute code in kernel context. The verifier mishandles overlapping dynamic-pointer stack slots, allowing crafted eBPF programs to corrupt dynptr size metadata and gain out-of-bounds read and write access. Exploitation requires CAP_BPF and can escalate that privileged local context to full kernel control, affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2023-39191
- Published
- Oct 4, 2023
- Updated
- Nov 6, 2025
- Vendor
- Red Hat
- Product
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.2 Extended Update Support
- Classifications
- CWE-20, T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- admin
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Oct 4, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Nov 6, 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 versions are unavailable in this record. Check the vendor advisory for version and patch details.
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- eBPF Verifier Exploit Research CVE-2023-39191 implementationfunctional · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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