CVE-2023-6546
Kernel: gsm multiplexing race condition leads to privilege escalation
No known exploitation. EPSS puts it in the 52nd percentile. A vendor fix is available.
What to do
The vendor has published a fix. Version details are below where the sources state them.
What it is
From the CVE record
A race condition was found in the GSM 0710 tty multiplexor in the Linux kernel. This issue occurs when two threads execute the GSMIOC_SETCONF ioctl on the same tty file descriptor with the gsm line discipline enabled, and can lead to a use-after-free problem on a struct gsm_dlci while restarting the gsm mux. This could allow a local unprivileged user to escalate their privileges on the system.
In plain language
No plain-language summary for this CVE yet.
Exploitation
Where each signal puts this CVE on the scale from published to confirmed exploited.
- CISA KEV
Not in the catalog. CISA has not confirmed exploitation.
- Public exploits
No public exploit or proof of concept found in the sources we track.
- EPSS
0.7% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, which ranks it in the 52nd percentile of scored CVEs.
Exploit Prediction Scoring System, FIRST.org. A probability, not a confirmation.
Lifecycle
10 events over 959 days, from the signal feeds we watch.
- Patch availableworkaround available, record updated
- OpenVAS check added
- Patch availableworkaround available, record updated
- Publishedweakness classified, att&ck mapped
Affected products
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8Operating Systems / linux-distro
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.2 Advanced Update SupportOperating Systems / linux-distro
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.4 Advanced Mission Critical Update SupportOperating Systems / linux-distro
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.4 Telecommunications Update ServiceOperating Systems / linux-distro
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.4 Update Services for SAP SolutionsOperating Systems / linux-distro
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.6 Extended Update SupportOperating Systems / linux-distro
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.8 Extended Update SupportOperating Systems / linux-distro
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.0 Extended Update SupportOperating Systems / linux-distro
And 8 more affected products. See all after sign-in
Technical detail
CVSS 3.1 vector
Open in the CVSS calculatorCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Scored 7.0 by NVD.
How it is reached
- Attack Vector LocalRequires local access to the vulnerable system (e.g. local login, malicious file)
- Attack Complexity HighRequires specific conditions like a race condition or non-default configuration
- Privileges Required LowRequires basic user-level privileges
- User Interaction NoneNo user interaction needed — fully automated exploitation
Scope
- Scope UnchangedImpact is limited to the vulnerable component itself
Impact if exploited
- Confidentiality HighTotal information disclosure — all data in the component is compromised
- Integrity HighTotal loss of integrity — attacker can modify any data in the component
- Availability HighTotal denial of service — the component is completely unavailable
Weaknesses
ATT&CK techniques
Mapped from the weaknesses above (CWE to ATT&CK), not observed in attacks.
- Privilege EscalationT1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalationmedium confidence
Sources
Watch the software you run.
My Stack ranks new CVEs for your products by real-world exploitation, so the next serious one reaches you without reading every advisory.
We'll flag the next CVE, public exploit or patch for Red Hat Inc., not every advisory.
A free account adds
- The full version matrix and every affected product
- Exploit links, proofs of concept and Metasploit modules
- Email alerts for the products you watch
- The same data over REST API, MCP and CLI