CVE-2023-53354: skbuff: skb_segment, Call zero copy functions before using skbuff frags

Published Sep 17, 2025
·
Updated

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

skbuff: skbsegment, Call zero copy functions before using skbuff frags

Commit bf5c25d60861 ("skbuff: in skbsegment, call zerocopy functions once per nskb") added the call to zero copy functions in skbsegment(). The change introduced a bug in skbsegment() because skborphanfrags() may possibly change the number of fragments or allocate new fragments altogether leaving nrfrags and frag to point to the old values. This can cause a panic with stacktrace like the one below.

[ 193.894380] BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 00000000000000bc [ 193.895273] CPU: 13 PID: 18164 Comm: vh-net-17428 Kdump: loaded Tainted: G O 5.15.123+ #26 [ 193.903919] RIP: 0010:skbsegment+0xb0e/0x12f0 [ 194.021892] Call Trace: [ 194.027422] <TASK> [ 194.072861] tcpgsosegment+0x107/0x540 [ 194.082031] inetgsosegment+0x15c/0x3d0 [ 194.090783] skbmacgsosegment+0x9f/0x110 [ 194.095016] skbgsosegment+0xc1/0x190 [ 194.103131] netemenqueue+0x290/0xb10 [schnetem] [ 194.107071] devqdiscenqueue+0x16/0x70 [ 194.110884] devqueuexmit+0x63b/0xb30 [ 194.121670] bondstartxmit+0x159/0x380 [bonding] [ 194.128506] devhardstartxmit+0xc3/0x1e0 [ 194.131787] devqueuexmit+0x8a0/0xb30 [ 194.138225] macvlanstartxmit+0x4f/0x100 [macvlan] [ 194.141477] devhardstartxmit+0xc3/0x1e0 [ 194.144622] schdirectxmit+0xe3/0x280 [ 194.147748] devqueuexmit+0x54a/0xb30 [ 194.154131] tapgetuser+0x2a8/0x9c0 [tap] [ 194.157358] tapsendmsg+0x52/0x8e0 [tap] [ 194.167049] handletxzerocopy+0x14e/0x4c0 [vhostnet] [ 194.173631] handletx+0xcd/0xe0 [vhostnet] [ 194.176959] vhostworker+0x76/0xb0 [vhost] [ 194.183667] kthread+0x118/0x140 [ 194.190358] retfromfork+0x1f/0x30 [ 194.193670] </TASK>

In this case calling skborphanfrags() updated nrfrags leaving nrfrags local variable in skbsegment() stale. This resulted in the code hitting i >= nrfrags prematurely and trying to move to next fragskb using listskb pointer, which was NULL, and caused kernel panic. Move the call to zero copy functions before using frags and nrfrags.

Affected Software

8 affected components
The Linux Foundation Linux Kernel>=5.15.123
Linux Linux kernel>=4.16<4.19.295
Linux Linux kernel>=4.20<5.4.257
Linux Linux kernel>=5.5<5.10.195
Linux Linux kernel>=5.11<5.15.132
Linux Linux kernel>=5.16<6.1.53
Linux Linux kernel>=6.2<6.4.16
Linux Linux kernel>=6.5<6.5.3

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Patch bf5c25d60861

Event History

Sep 17, 2025
CVE Published
via MITRE·02:56 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·02:56 PM
DescriptionSeverity
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·03:04 PM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Data Sourced
via NVD·03:15 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2023-53354?

CVE-2023-53354 has a severity rating that indicates it may cause security issues in the Linux kernel.

2

How do I fix CVE-2023-53354?

To fix CVE-2023-53354, you need to update to a patched version of the Linux kernel, specifically version 5.15.123 or later.

3

What systems are affected by CVE-2023-53354?

CVE-2023-53354 affects systems running Linux kernel versions prior to 5.15.123.

4

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2023-53354?

CVE-2023-53354 is related to improper handling of skbuff frags in the Linux kernel.

5

What is the impact of CVE-2023-53354?

The impact of CVE-2023-53354 may include potential memory corruption or unauthorized access to kernel memory.

Contact

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