CVE-2023-6238

Kernel memory corruption via undersized NVMe metadata buffer

Published Nov 21, 2023 · Updated Oct 17, 2024

Buffer overflow in the Linux kernel NVMe driver allows local users to corrupt kernel memory through a crafted passthrough command. The passthrough path copies an undersized user-supplied metadata buffer, then permits the NVMe device to DMA more metadata into that allocation than it holds. Reaching the path as an unprivileged user requires an administrator to relax NVMe device-node permissions, which are restricted by default; successful triggering causes memory corruption or random kernel crashes.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.29%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Buffer overflow in the Linux kernel NVMe driver allows local users to corrupt kernel memory through a crafted passthrough command. The passthrough path copies an undersized user-supplied metadata buffer, then permits the NVMe device to DMA more metadata into that allocation than it holds. Reaching the path as an unprivileged user requires an administrator to relax NVMe device-node permissions, which are restricted by default; successful triggering causes memory corruption or random kernel crashes.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-6238
Published
Nov 21, 2023
Updated
Oct 17, 2024
Vendor
Fedora Project
Product
Fedora Linux
Classifications
CWE-120, T1499.004
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 21, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 17, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected versions are unavailable in this record. Check the vendor advisory for version and patch details.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Fedora Project · Fedora LinuxAffected versions are unavailable in this record.
The Linux Kernel Organization · Linux KernelAffected versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

7.0Red Hat, Inc.CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.8NISTCVSS: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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

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-120Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')
T1499.004Application or System Exploitation

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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