CVE-2023-54303

Kernel compromise via shared perf sample buffer

Published Dec 30, 2025 · Updated Dec 30, 2025

A preemption race in affected Linux kernel builds allows local users to crash or compromise the kernel through sleepable uprobe BPF programs. bpf_perf_event_output leaves preemption enabled when invoked from bpf_prog_run_array_sleepable, so preempted tasks can reuse the same perf_sample_data buffer and corrupt kernel execution. Exploitation requires local code execution and a system-wide uprobe or USDT observability program using the helper; consequences include kernel-memory disclosure, control-flow hijacking, and repeated panics.

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

A preemption race in affected Linux kernel builds allows local users to crash or compromise the kernel through sleepable uprobe BPF programs. bpf_perf_event_output leaves preemption enabled when invoked from bpf_prog_run_array_sleepable, so preempted tasks can reuse the same perf_sample_data buffer and corrupt kernel execution. Exploitation requires local code execution and a system-wide uprobe or USDT observability program using the helper; consequences include kernel-memory disclosure, control-flow hijacking, and repeated panics.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-54303
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=6.0
  2. Affected versionversion=8c7dcb84e3b744b2b70baa7a44a9b1881c33a9c9 <3654ed5daf492463c3faa434c7000d45c2da2ace
  3. Affected versionversion=8c7dcb84e3b744b2b70baa7a44a9b1881c33a9c9 <a0ac32cf61e5a76e2429e486925a52ee41dd75e3
  4. Affected versionversion=8c7dcb84e3b744b2b70baa7a44a9b1881c33a9c9 <f2c67a3e60d1071b65848efaa8c3b66c363dd025

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=6.0; version=8c7dcb84e3b744b2b70baa7a44a9b1881c33a9c9 <3654ed5daf492463c3faa434c7000d45c2da2ace; version=8c7dcb84e3b744b2b70baa7a44a9b1881c33a9c9 <a0ac32cf61e5a76e2429e486925a52ee41dd75e3; version=8c7dcb84e3b744b2b70baa7a44a9b1881c33a9c9 <f2c67a3e60d1071b65848efaa8c3b66c363dd025

Published CVSS scores

7.8kernel.orgCVSS: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.

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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