CVE-2023-54156

Kernel data disclosure and hang via stats-reset race

Published Dec 24, 2025 · Updated Dec 24, 2025

Use-after-free in the Linux kernel sfc driver allows local users to disclose kernel memory or crash the host via statistics reads. During an ethtool self-test or NIC reset, efx_net_stats calls efx_nic_update_stats after nic_data->mc_stats has been freed or cleared, causing a stale-buffer access or NULL dereference. The path requires a supported sfc network adapter and local statistics access; exploitation can expose freed heap contents, corrupt kernel memory, or hang the system.

CVSS severity7.0
High
EPSS probability0.20%
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 sfc driver allows local users to disclose kernel memory or crash the host via statistics reads. During an ethtool self-test or NIC reset, efx_net_stats calls efx_nic_update_stats after nic_data->mc_stats has been freed or cleared, causing a stale-buffer access or NULL dereference. The path requires a supported sfc network adapter and local statistics access; exploitation can expose freed heap contents, corrupt kernel memory, or hang the system.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-54156
Published
Dec 24, 2025
Updated
Dec 24, 2025
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
T1499
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=5.9
  2. Affected versionversion=d3142c193dca9a2f6878f4128ce1aaf221bb3f99 <446f5567934331923d0aec4ce045e4ecb0174aae
  3. Affected versionversion=d3142c193dca9a2f6878f4128ce1aaf221bb3f99 <470152d76b3ed107d172ea46acc4bfa941f20b4b
  4. Affected versionversion=d3142c193dca9a2f6878f4128ce1aaf221bb3f99 <91f4ef204e731565afdc6c2a7fcf509a3fd6fd67
  5. Affected versionversion=d3142c193dca9a2f6878f4128ce1aaf221bb3f99 <aba32b4c58112960c0c708703ca6b44dc8944082
  6. Affected versionversion=d3142c193dca9a2f6878f4128ce1aaf221bb3f99 <cb1aa7cc562cab6a87ea33574c8c65f2d2fd7aeb
  7. Affected versionversion=d3142c193dca9a2f6878f4128ce1aaf221bb3f99 <d1b355438b8325a486f087e506d412c4e852f37b

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=5.9; version=d3142c193dca9a2f6878f4128ce1aaf221bb3f99 <446f5567934331923d0aec4ce045e4ecb0174aae; version=d3142c193dca9a2f6878f4128ce1aaf221bb3f99 <470152d76b3ed107d172ea46acc4bfa941f20b4b; version=d3142c193dca9a2f6878f4128ce1aaf221bb3f99 <91f4ef204e731565afdc6c2a7fcf509a3fd6fd67; version=d3142c193dca9a2f6878f4128ce1aaf221bb3f99 <aba32b4c58112960c0c708703ca6b44dc8944082; version=d3142c193dca9a2f6878f4128ce1aaf221bb3f99 <cb1aa7cc562cab6a87ea33574c8c65f2d2fd7aeb; version=d3142c193dca9a2f6878f4128ce1aaf221bb3f99 <d1b355438b8325a486f087e506d412c4e852f37b

Published CVSS scores

7.0Amazon LinuxCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/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

T1499Endpoint Denial of Service

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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