CVE-2023-5633

Kernel: vmwgfx: reference count issue leads to use-after-free in surface handling

HIGH
7.8
CVSS Score
Published: October 23, 2023 at 09:58 PM UTC
Updated: June 17, 2026 at 06:48 AM UTC
22 products affected across 2 vendorsLinux KernelEnterprise LinuxEnterprise Linux Server Aus

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

Description

The reference count changes made as part of the CVE-2023-33951 and CVE-2023-33952 fixes exposed a use-after-free flaw in the way memory objects were handled when they were being used to store a surface. When running inside a VMware guest with 3D acceleration enabled, a local, unprivileged user could potentially use this flaw to escalate their privileges.

Affected

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

6.1.13 ≤ v < 6.1.756.2 ≤ v < 6.5.86.6 rc16.6 rc26.6 rc36.6 rc46.6 rc56.6 rc6
Affected range stops below 6.1.75, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 6.5.8, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Vendor states this is fixed in 0:4.18.0-477.51.1.el8_8 (unaffected)
Vendor states this is fixed in 0:4.18.0-513.11.1.el8_9 (unaffected)
Vendor states this is fixed in 0:4.18.0-513.11.1.rt7.313.el8_9 (unaffected)
Vendor states this is fixed in 0:5.14.0-284.75.1.el9_2 (unaffected)
Vendor states this is fixed in 0:5.14.0-284.75.1.rt14.360.el9_2 (unaffected)
Vendor states this is fixed in 0:5.14.0-362.18.1.el9_3 (unaffected)
Vendor states this is fixed in 6 (unaffected)
Vendor states this is fixed in 7 (unaffected)

References (8)

Vendor Advisoryx_refsource_REDHATThird Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2024:0113
Vendor Advisoryx_refsource_REDHATThird Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2024:0134
Vendor Advisoryx_refsource_REDHATThird Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2024:0461
Vendor Advisoryx_refsource_REDHATThird Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2024:1404
Vendor Advisoryx_refsource_REDHATThird Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2024:4823
Vendor Advisoryx_refsource_REDHATThird Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2024:4831
VDB Entryx_refsource_REDHATThird Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2023-5633

SSVC — Action Prioritization

SSVCNo known exploitNot automatableTotal impact

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

CVSS

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

Quick Info

StatusMODIFIED
CWE
CWE-416CWE-911

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