CVE-2023-2235

Use-after-free in Linux kernel's Performance Events subsystem

HIGH
7.8
CVSS Score
Published: May 1, 2023 at 12:51 PM UTC
Updated: August 7, 2026 at 07:21 PM UTC
1 product affected across 1 vendorLinux Kernel

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Severity
HIGH7.8
Exploit prediction
EPSS 0.3%
SSVC
No known exploit

Description

A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux Kernel Performance Events system can be exploited to achieve local privilege escalation. The perf_group_detach function did not check the event's siblings' attach_state before calling add_event_to_groups(), but remove_on_exec made it possible to call list_del_event() on before detaching from their group, making it possible to use a dangling pointer causing a use-after-free vulnerability. We recommend upgrading past commit fd0815f632c24878e325821943edccc7fde947a2.

Affected

Our own answer: ranges merged, affected separated from platform-only, with confidence and review flags.

5.13 ≤ v < 5.15.1045.13 ≤ v < 6.35.16 ≤ v < 6.1.216.2 ≤ v < 6.2.85.13
Affected range stops below 5.15.104, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 6.1.21, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 6.2.8, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 6.3, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Remediation

No guide yet

No remediation guidance has been written for this CVE yet. What the record does show:

SSVC — Action Prioritization

SSVCNo known exploitNot automatableTotal impact

SSVC signals action urgency (what to patch first), separate from CVSS which measures severity.

CVSS

7.8HIGHGoogle
Attack Vector
LOCAL
Complexity
LOW
Privileges
LOW
User Interaction
NONE
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
HIGH
Integrity
HIGH
Availability
HIGH
Vector?

Quick Info

StatusMODIFIED
CWE
CWE-416

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