CVE-2023-52433Public exploit

Local privilege escalation via double-freed rbtree element

Published Feb 20, 2024 · Updated Aug 5, 2026

Use-after-free in Linux kernel 6.5 through 6.5.3 allows local users to gain kernel privileges via a crafted nftables batch. The __nft_rbtree_insert path synchronously frees a newly added element after its short timeout without excluding the current transaction, and abort processing destroys the same element again. CAP_NET_ADMIN obtained in user and network namespaces is sufficient; successful exploitation grants kernel memory control, while a failed attempt can panic the host.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.25%
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 6.5 through 6.5.3 allows local users to gain kernel privileges via a crafted nftables batch. The __nft_rbtree_insert path synchronously frees a newly added element after its short timeout without excluding the current transaction, and abort processing destroys the same element again. CAP_NET_ADMIN obtained in user and network namespaces is sufficient; successful exploitation grants kernel memory control, while a failed attempt can panic the host.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-52433
Published
Feb 20, 2024
Updated
Aug 5, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
CWE-273, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 20, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 5, 2026Record 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=146c76866795553dbc19998f36718d7986ad302b <c323ed65f66e5387ee0a73452118d49f1dae81b8
  2. Affected versionversion=479a2cf5259347d6a1f658b0f791d27a34908e91 <9af7dfb3c9d7985172a240f85e684c5cd33e29ce
  3. Affected versionversion=6.4.11 <6.5
  4. Affected versionversion=6.5
  5. Affected versionversion=c357648929c8dff891502349769aafb8f0452bc2 <03caf75da1059f0460666c826e9f50e13dfd0017
  6. Affected versionversion=cb4d00b563675ba8ff6ef94b077f58d816f68ba3 <9db9feb841f7449772f9393c16b9ef4536d8c127
  7. Affected versionversion=df650d6a4bf47248261b61ef6b174d7c54034d15 <9a8c544158f68f656d1734eb5ba00c4f817b76b1
  8. Affected versionversion=e4d71d6a9c7db93f7bf20c3a0f0659d63d7de681
  9. Affected versionversion=f6c383b8c31a93752a52697f8430a71dcbc46adf <2ee52ae94baabf7ee09cf2a8d854b990dac5d0e4
  10. Affected versionversion=f6c383b8c31a93752a52697f8430a71dcbc46adf <e3213ff99a355cda811b41e8dbb3472d13167a3a

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=146c76866795553dbc19998f36718d7986ad302b <c323ed65f66e5387ee0a73452118d49f1dae81b8; version=479a2cf5259347d6a1f658b0f791d27a34908e91 <9af7dfb3c9d7985172a240f85e684c5cd33e29ce; version=6.4.11 <6.5; version=6.5; version=c357648929c8dff891502349769aafb8f0452bc2 <03caf75da1059f0460666c826e9f50e13dfd0017; version=cb4d00b563675ba8ff6ef94b077f58d816f68ba3 <9db9feb841f7449772f9393c16b9ef4536d8c127; version=df650d6a4bf47248261b61ef6b174d7c54034d15 <9a8c544158f68f656d1734eb5ba00c4f817b76b1; version=e4d71d6a9c7db93f7bf20c3a0f0659d63d7de681; version=f6c383b8c31a93752a52697f8430a71dcbc46adf <2ee52ae94baabf7ee09cf2a8d854b990dac5d0e4; version=f6c383b8c31a93752a52697f8430a71dcbc46adf <e3213ff99a355cda811b41e8dbb3472d13167a3a

Published CVSS scores

4.4CISA ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
7.8Linux Kernel CVE TeamCVSS: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.

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No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-273Improper Check for Dropped Privileges
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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