Kernel crash via unchecked dynset expression index
Published Dec 8, 2023 · Updated Nov 6, 2025
NULL pointer dereference in nf_tables in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 and 9 allows attackers to crash the kernel through a dynset request. nft_dynset_init compares a crafted expression against an indexed set expression without first ensuring the index is below the declared expression count, so an extra expression dereferences a NULL slot. Exploitation requires local access plus CAP_NET_ADMIN; successful triggering interrupts the host by crashing the operating-system kernel.
Summary
What happened
NULL pointer dereference in nf_tables in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 and 9 allows attackers to crash the kernel through a dynset request. nft_dynset_init compares a crafted expression against an indexed set expression without first ensuring the index is below the declared expression count, so an extra expression dereferences a NULL slot. Exploitation requires local access plus CAP_NET_ADMIN; successful triggering interrupts the host by crashing the operating-system kernel.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2023-6622
- Published
- Dec 8, 2023
- Updated
- Nov 6, 2025
- Vendor
- Red Hat
- Product
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- Classifications
- CWE-476, T1499
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- admin
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Dec 8, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Nov 6, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
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What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
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Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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