Cyber Resilience

CVE-2023-32252

Memory Safety in Linux Kernel 5.15 – 5.15.145

Published
24 July 2023
Modified
21 November 2024
Patch / advisory
CVSS Score v3.1 7.5
Click a component to see what it means
Raw vectorCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
EPSS Score 0.041 90th percentile
Risk Priority 65 floored blend · peak EPSS

Summary

CVE-2023-32252 is a high-severity NULL Pointer Dereference (CWE-476) vulnerability in Linux Linux Kernel. Its CVSS base score is 7.5 (High).

Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Endpoint Denial of Service (T1499); ranked in the top 10% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary

Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.

A flaw exists in the Linux kernel's ksmbd, the high-performance in-kernel SMB server, specifically in its handling of SMB2_LOGOFF commands. The root cause is missing validation of a pointer before it is dereferenced, classified as CWE-476. The resulting denial-of-service condition carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 with network attack vector, no required privileges or user interaction, and high availability impact.

An unauthenticated remote attacker can send crafted SMB2_LOGOFF requests to a vulnerable ksmbd instance and trigger a kernel-level crash or service outage, achieving denial of service without any other system access.

The EPSS probability rose from a low baseline to a peak of 0.0660 on 2025-01-22 before receding to the current value of 0.0014, indicating a period of increased exploitation interest after public disclosure. Red Hat, NetApp, and Zero Day Initiative advisories reference the issue and point to corresponding kernel updates.

OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)

EU & UK References

Vulnerability Data

A flaw was found in the Linux kernel's ksmbd, a high-performance in-kernel SMB server. The specific flaw exists within the handling of SMB2_LOGOFF commands. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of a pointer prior to accessing it.…

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An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to create a denial-of-service condition on the system.

CWE(s)

Related Threats

MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques

T1499 Endpoint Denial of Service Impact
Adversaries may perform Endpoint Denial of Service (DoS) attacks to degrade or block the availability of services to users.
T1499.004 Application or System Exploitation Impact
Adversaries may exploit software vulnerabilities that can cause an application or system to crash and deny availability to users.
T1489 Service Stop Impact
Adversaries may stop or disable services on a system to render those services unavailable to legitimate users.
Derived from this CVE’s CWE(s) via the direct CWE→ATT&CK cross-walk.

CVEs Like This One

CVE-2023-32248Same product: Linux Linux Kernel
CVE-2023-3212Same product: Linux Linux Kernel
CVE-2023-2898Same product: Linux Linux Kernel
CVE-2023-28466Same product: Linux Linux Kernel
CVE-2023-2953Same product: Netapp H300S
CVE-2024-33600Same product: Netapp H300S
CVE-2023-3338Same product: Linux Linux Kernel
CVE-2023-33250Same product: Linux Linux Kernel
CVE-2023-40791Same product: Linux Linux Kernel
CVE-2023-52585Same product: Linux Linux Kernel

Affected Assets

linux
linux kernel
5.15 — 5.15.145 · 5.16 — 6.1.29 · 6.2 — 6.2.16
netapp
h300s firmware
all versions
netapp
h500s firmware
all versions
netapp
h700s firmware
all versions
netapp
h410s firmware
all versions
netapp
h410c firmware
all versions

Mitigating Controls

Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI

Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.

PR.PS-06 mostly match
prevents

Secure SDLC practices (static analysis, code review, safe coding standards) directly prevent NULL dereference bugs during development.

Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI

Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.

finds

Security testing can detect NULL dereference defects before release.

prevents

Secure SDLC mandates defensive coding practices that can prevent NULL dereferences.

prevents

Application security requirements can specify input validation and pointer-safety rules.

prevents

Secure architecture principles encourage defensive design that avoids unsafe pointer use.

prevents

Secure coding standards directly require NULL-pointer checks and safe dereference patterns.

References