CVE-2023-54238

Kernel heap disclosure via mlx5 FIFO misaccounting

Published Dec 30, 2025 · Updated Dec 30, 2025

Memory corruption in Linux 6.0 through 6.2.4 allows local users to compromise the kernel through the mlx5 PTP transmit path. mlx5e_skb_fifo_has_room() subtracts u16 counters as int, misreads wrapped occupancy, and permits FIFO overwrite, while resync pops fail to release SKBs. An unprivileged local process can trigger the path with mlx5 hardware transmit timestamping, exposing kernel heap data and corrupting memory.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.15%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Memory corruption in Linux 6.0 through 6.2.4 allows local users to compromise the kernel through the mlx5 PTP transmit path. mlx5e_skb_fifo_has_room() subtracts u16 counters as int, misreads wrapped occupancy, and permits FIFO overwrite, while resync pops fail to release SKBs. An unprivileged local process can trigger the path with mlx5 hardware transmit timestamping, exposing kernel heap data and corrupting memory.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-54238
Published
Dec 30, 2025
Updated
Dec 30, 2025
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 30, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Dec 30, 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=58a518948f60153e8f6cb8361d2712aa3a1af94a <234cffda95e1049f58e8ec136ef105c633f0ed19
  2. Affected versionversion=58a518948f60153e8f6cb8361d2712aa3a1af94a <68504c66d08c70fb92799722e25a932d311d74fd
  3. Affected versionversion=58a518948f60153e8f6cb8361d2712aa3a1af94a <e435941b1da1a0be4ff8a7ae425774c76a5ac514
  4. Affected versionversion=6.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=58a518948f60153e8f6cb8361d2712aa3a1af94a <234cffda95e1049f58e8ec136ef105c633f0ed19; version=58a518948f60153e8f6cb8361d2712aa3a1af94a <68504c66d08c70fb92799722e25a932d311d74fd; version=58a518948f60153e8f6cb8361d2712aa3a1af94a <e435941b1da1a0be4ff8a7ae425774c76a5ac514; version=6.0

Published CVSS scores

7.8LinuxCVSS: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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