Review reviewHigh

CVE-2023-53619

Linux Linux, linux kernel

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: conntrack: Avoid nf_ct_helper_hash uses after free If nf_conntrack_init_start() fails (for example due to a register_nf_conntrack_bpf() failure), the nf_conntrack_helper_fini() clean-up path frees the nf_ct_helper_hash map. When built with NF_CONNTRACK=y, further netfilter modules (e.g: netfilter_conntrack_ftp) can still be loaded and call nf_conntrack_helpers_register(), independently of whether nf_conntrack initialized correctly. This accesses the nf_ct_helper_hash dangling pointer and causes a uaf, possibly le...

CVSS
7.8
EPSS
0.20%
10.3% percentile
CISA KEV
Not listed
Published
2025.10.08
PRIORITY ASSESSMENT

Review review

The CVSS severity warrants an early asset and exposure review.

Known exploitationNot established by KEV
Exploit probability0.20%
Technical severityCVSS 7.8

Vulnerability overview

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: conntrack: Avoid nf_ct_helper_hash uses after free If nf_conntrack_init_start() fails (for example due to a register_nf_conntrack_bpf() failure), the nf_conntrack_helper_fini() clean-up path frees the nf_ct_helper_hash map. When built with NF_CONNTRACK=y, further netfilter modules (e.g: netfilter_conntrack_ftp) can still be loaded and call nf_conntrack_helpers_register(), independently of whether nf_conntrack initialized correctly. This accesses the nf_ct_helper_hash dangling pointer and causes a uaf, possibly le...

Affected product and versions

Product
Linux Linux, linux kernel
Affected versions
>= 12f7a505331e6b2754684b509f2ac8f0011ce644 < 4ee69c91cb8f9ca144bc0861969e5a1a3c6152a7, >= 12f7a505331e6b2754684b509f2ac8f0011ce644 < 00716f25f9697d02a0d9bd622575c7c7321ba3d0, >= 12f7a505331e6b2754684b509f2ac8f0011ce644 < 61c7a5256543ae7d24cd9d21853d514c8632e1e9, >= 12f7a505331e6b2754684b509f2ac8f0011ce644 < 8289d422f5e484efe4a565fe18e862ecd621c175, >= 12f7a505331e6b2754684b509f2ac8f0011ce644 < 6f03ce2f1abcb9f9d0511e3659ca6eb60e39f566, >= 12f7a505331e6b2754684b509f2ac8f0011ce644 < 05561f822f27b9fa88fa5504ddec34bf38833034, >= 12f7a505331e6b2754684b509f2ac8f0011ce644 < fce5cc7cbd4b92f979bf02c9ec5fb69aaeba92d7, >= 12f7a505331e6b2754684b509f2ac8f0011ce644 < 6eef7a2b933885a17679eb8ed0796ddf0ee5309b, >= 3.6, >= 3.6 < 4.14.322, >= 4.15 < 4.19.291, >= 4.20 < 5.4.251, >= 5.5 < 5.10.188, >= 5.11 < 5.15.121, >= 5.16 < 6.1.39, >= 6.2 < 6.4.4, 6.5
Fixed versions
4.14.322, 4.19.291, 5.4.251, 5.10.188, 5.15.121, 6.1.39, 6.4.4

Recommended response sequence

Confirm exposure before applying a vendor-supported change.

Full remediation guide
  1. 1
    Identify

    Confirm that Linux Linux, linux kernel and an affected version are present.

  2. 2
    Prioritize

    Combine exploitation signals with asset exposure and business criticality.

  3. 3
    Remediate

    Follow the vendor advisory or supported update path and preserve rollback options.

  4. 4
    Verify

    Recheck the version, service health, access paths, and relevant logs.

Technical data

CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CWE
CWE-416
CVE-2023-53619 — Linux Linux, linux kernel | SECUFOCUS NOW