CVE-2023-54046

Kernel memory corruption via mishandled EBUSY response

Published Dec 24, 2025 · Updated Dec 24, 2025

Use-after-free in Linux kernel 5.4 through 6.2.2 allows local users to corrupt kernel memory through backlogged cryptographic requests. The essiv_aead_crypt path frees request data after treating EBUSY as an ordinary failure instead of retaining it like EINPROGRESS. The path requires an existing dm-crypt AEAD+ESSIV mapping over a backlog-queueing accelerator, and the resulting corruption enables kernel reads, writes, or a panic.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.19%
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 5.4 through 6.2.2 allows local users to corrupt kernel memory through backlogged cryptographic requests. The essiv_aead_crypt path frees request data after treating EBUSY as an ordinary failure instead of retaining it like EINPROGRESS. The path requires an existing dm-crypt AEAD+ESSIV mapping over a backlog-queueing accelerator, and the resulting corruption enables kernel reads, writes, or a panic.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-54046
Published
Dec 24, 2025
Updated
Dec 24, 2025
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 24, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Dec 24, 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?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=5.4
  2. Affected versionversion=be1eb7f78aa8fbe34779c56c266ccd0364604e71 <69c67d451fc19d88e54f7d97e8e7c093e08357e1
  3. Affected versionversion=be1eb7f78aa8fbe34779c56c266ccd0364604e71 <796e02cca30a67322161f0745e5ce994bbe75605
  4. Affected versionversion=be1eb7f78aa8fbe34779c56c266ccd0364604e71 <840a1d3b77c1b062bd62b4733969a5b1efc274ce
  5. Affected versionversion=be1eb7f78aa8fbe34779c56c266ccd0364604e71 <a006aa3eedb8bfd6fe317c3cfe9c86ffe76b2385
  6. Affected versionversion=be1eb7f78aa8fbe34779c56c266ccd0364604e71 <b5a772adf45a32c68bef28e60621f12617161556
  7. Affected versionversion=be1eb7f78aa8fbe34779c56c266ccd0364604e71 <c61e7d182ee3f3f5ecf18a2964e303d49c539b52

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=5.4; version=be1eb7f78aa8fbe34779c56c266ccd0364604e71 <69c67d451fc19d88e54f7d97e8e7c093e08357e1; version=be1eb7f78aa8fbe34779c56c266ccd0364604e71 <796e02cca30a67322161f0745e5ce994bbe75605; version=be1eb7f78aa8fbe34779c56c266ccd0364604e71 <840a1d3b77c1b062bd62b4733969a5b1efc274ce; version=be1eb7f78aa8fbe34779c56c266ccd0364604e71 <a006aa3eedb8bfd6fe317c3cfe9c86ffe76b2385; version=be1eb7f78aa8fbe34779c56c266ccd0364604e71 <b5a772adf45a32c68bef28e60621f12617161556; version=be1eb7f78aa8fbe34779c56c266ccd0364604e71 <c61e7d182ee3f3f5ecf18a2964e303d49c539b52

Published CVSS scores

7.8Linux CNACVSS: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 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

T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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