CVE-2023-6531

Local kernel code execution via Unix-socket GC race

Published Jan 21, 2024 · Updated Aug 6, 2026

Use-after-free in the Unix-socket garbage collector in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 allows local users to crash the system or execute code. unix_stream_read_generic retains an unprotected socket-buffer pointer while scan_inflight removes that buffer under a different lock, allowing concurrent garbage collection to free it before use. Low-privileged local access and a successful high-complexity race are required; exploitation can crash the kernel or run code with kernel privileges.

CVSS severity7.0
High
EPSS probability0.22%
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 Unix-socket garbage collector in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 allows local users to crash the system or execute code. unix_stream_read_generic retains an unprotected socket-buffer pointer while scan_inflight removes that buffer under a different lock, allowing concurrent garbage collection to free it before use. Low-privileged local access and a successful high-complexity race are required; exploitation can crash the kernel or run code with kernel privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-6531
Published
Jan 21, 2024
Updated
Aug 6, 2026
Vendor
Red Hat
Product
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
Classifications
CWE-362, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 21, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 6, 2026Record 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?

Red Hat · Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9Affected versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

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

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-362Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization ('Race Condition')
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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