CVE-2023-52991: net: fix NULL pointer in skb_segment_list
First published: Thu Mar 27 2025(Updated: )
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: fix NULL pointer in skb_segment_list Commit 3a1296a38d0c ("net: Support GRO/GSO fraglist chaining.") introduced UDP listifyed GRO. The segmentation relies on frag_list being untouched when passing through the network stack. This assumption can be broken sometimes, where frag_list itself gets pulled into linear area, leaving frag_list being NULL. When this happens it can trigger following NULL pointer dereference, and panic the kernel. Reverse the test condition should fix it. [19185.577801][ C1] BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: ... [19185.663775][ C1] RIP: 0010:skb_segment_list+0x1cc/0x390 ... [19185.834644][ C1] Call Trace: [19185.841730][ C1] <TASK> [19185.848563][ C1] __udp_gso_segment+0x33e/0x510 [19185.857370][ C1] inet_gso_segment+0x15b/0x3e0 [19185.866059][ C1] skb_mac_gso_segment+0x97/0x110 [19185.874939][ C1] __skb_gso_segment+0xb2/0x160 [19185.883646][ C1] udp_queue_rcv_skb+0xc3/0x1d0 [19185.892319][ C1] udp_unicast_rcv_skb+0x75/0x90 [19185.900979][ C1] ip_protocol_deliver_rcu+0xd2/0x200 [19185.910003][ C1] ip_local_deliver_finish+0x44/0x60 [19185.918757][ C1] __netif_receive_skb_one_core+0x8b/0xa0 [19185.927834][ C1] process_backlog+0x88/0x130 [19185.935840][ C1] __napi_poll+0x27/0x150 [19185.943447][ C1] net_rx_action+0x27e/0x5f0 [19185.951331][ C1] ? mlx5_cq_tasklet_cb+0x70/0x160 [mlx5_core] [19185.960848][ C1] __do_softirq+0xbc/0x25d [19185.968607][ C1] irq_exit_rcu+0x83/0xb0 [19185.976247][ C1] common_interrupt+0x43/0xa0 [19185.984235][ C1] asm_common_interrupt+0x22/0x40 ... [19186.094106][ C1] </TASK>
Credit: 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
| Affected Software | Affected Version | How to fix |
|---|---|---|
| Linux Kernel | ||
| Linux Kernel | >=5.6<5.10.167 | |
| Linux Kernel | >=5.11<5.15.92 | |
| Linux Kernel | >=5.16<6.1.10 | |
| Linux Kernel | =6.2-rc1 | |
| Linux Kernel | =6.2-rc2 | |
| Linux Kernel | =6.2-rc3 | |
| Linux Kernel | =6.2-rc4 | |
| Linux Kernel | =6.2-rc5 | |
| Linux Kernel | =6.2-rc6 |
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Reference Links
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2023-52991?
CVE-2023-52991 has a medium severity rating due to its potential impact on the Linux kernel's networking stack.
How do I fix CVE-2023-52991?
To fix CVE-2023-52991, update the Linux kernel to a version that includes the patch for this vulnerability.
What systems are affected by CVE-2023-52991?
CVE-2023-52991 affects various distributions of the Linux kernel that use the networking stack impacted by the vulnerability.
What is the nature of the vulnerability in CVE-2023-52991?
CVE-2023-52991 is a vulnerability in the Linux kernel that involves a NULL pointer dereference during network segment processing.
Is CVE-2023-52991 being actively exploited?
As of now, there are no confirmed reports of active exploitation of CVE-2023-52991 in the wild.
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