CVE-2023-52445

Kernel invalid read via pvrusb2 context race

Published Feb 22, 2024 · Updated May 11, 2026

Use-after-free in the Linux kernel pvrusb2 driver allows local users to trigger an invalid kernel-memory read during USB disconnection. A driver kthread can destroy and free its context before the USB hub-event path invokes pvr2_context_disconnect, which then reads the freed object. Triggering the race requires the pvrusb2 module and a device-disconnection event; published evidence confirms an invalid read but not reliable code execution.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.24%
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 the Linux kernel pvrusb2 driver allows local users to trigger an invalid kernel-memory read during USB disconnection. A driver kthread can destroy and free its context before the USB hub-event path invokes pvr2_context_disconnect, which then reads the freed object. Triggering the race requires the pvrusb2 module and a device-disconnection event; published evidence confirms an invalid read but not reliable code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-52445
Published
Feb 22, 2024
Updated
May 11, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
CWE-416
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 22, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. May 11, 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=2.6.26
  2. Affected versionversion=e5be15c63804e05b5a94197524023702a259e308 <2cf0005d315549b8d2b940ff96a66c2a889aa795
  3. Affected versionversion=e5be15c63804e05b5a94197524023702a259e308 <30773ea47d41773f9611ffb4ebc9bda9d19a9e7e
  4. Affected versionversion=e5be15c63804e05b5a94197524023702a259e308 <3233d8bf7893550045682192cb227af7fa3defeb
  5. Affected versionversion=e5be15c63804e05b5a94197524023702a259e308 <437b5f57732bb4cc32cc9f8895d2010ee9ff521c
  6. Affected versionversion=e5be15c63804e05b5a94197524023702a259e308 <47aa8fcd5e8b5563af4042a00f25ba89bef8f33d
  7. Affected versionversion=e5be15c63804e05b5a94197524023702a259e308 <ded85b0c0edd8f45fec88783d7555a5b982449c1
  8. Affected versionversion=e5be15c63804e05b5a94197524023702a259e308 <ec3634ebe23fc3c44ebc67c6d25917300bc68c08
  9. Affected versionversion=e5be15c63804e05b5a94197524023702a259e308 <ec36c134dd020d28e312c2f1766f85525e747aab

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=2.6.26; version=e5be15c63804e05b5a94197524023702a259e308 <2cf0005d315549b8d2b940ff96a66c2a889aa795; version=e5be15c63804e05b5a94197524023702a259e308 <30773ea47d41773f9611ffb4ebc9bda9d19a9e7e; version=e5be15c63804e05b5a94197524023702a259e308 <3233d8bf7893550045682192cb227af7fa3defeb; version=e5be15c63804e05b5a94197524023702a259e308 <437b5f57732bb4cc32cc9f8895d2010ee9ff521c; version=e5be15c63804e05b5a94197524023702a259e308 <47aa8fcd5e8b5563af4042a00f25ba89bef8f33d; version=e5be15c63804e05b5a94197524023702a259e308 <ded85b0c0edd8f45fec88783d7555a5b982449c1; version=e5be15c63804e05b5a94197524023702a259e308 <ec3634ebe23fc3c44ebc67c6d25917300bc68c08; version=e5be15c63804e05b5a94197524023702a259e308 <ec36c134dd020d28e312c2f1766f85525e747aab

Published CVSS scores

7.8Canonical UbuntuCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
3.0Oracle LinuxCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:L

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
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free

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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