CVE-2023-2235

Use-after-free in Linux kernel's Performance Events subsystem

Published May 1, 2023 CVSS 3.1 · 7.8 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux Kernel Performance Events system can be exploited to achieve local privilege escalation.



The perf_group_detach function did not check the event's siblings' attach_state before calling add_event_to_groups(), but remove_on_exec made it possible to call list_del_event() on before detaching from their group, making it possible to use a dangling pointer causing a use-after-free vulnerability.



We recommend upgrading past commit fd0815f632c24878e325821943edccc7fde947a2.

Analysis

No analysis available yet

Remediation

No remediation available yet

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2023-33745 A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux Kernel Performance Events system can be exploited to achieve local privilege escalation. The perf_group_detach function did not check the event's siblings' attach_state before calling add_event_to_groups(), but remove_on_exec made it possible to call list_del_event() on before detaching from their group, making it possible to use a dangling pointer causing a use-after-free vulnerability. We recommend upgrading past commit fd0815f632c24878e325821943edccc7fde947a2.
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-6175-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-6186-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-6300-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-6311-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-6332-1 Linux kernel (Azure) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-6347-1 Linux kernel (Azure CVM) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-6385-1 Linux kernel (OEM) vulnerabilities
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux Kernel Performance Events system can be exploited to achieve local privilege escalation. The perf_group_detach function did not check the event's siblings' attach_state before calling add_event_to_groups(), but remove_on_exec made it possible to call list_del_event() on before detaching from their group, making it possible to use a dangling pointer causing a use-after-free vulnerability. We recommend upgrading past commit fd0815f632c24878e325821943edccc7fde947a2. A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux Kernel Performance Events system can be exploited to achieve local privilege escalation. The perf_group_detach function did not check the event's siblings' attach_state before calling add_event_to_groups(), but remove_on_exec made it possible to call list_del_event() on before detaching from their group, making it possible to use a dangling pointer causing a use-after-free vulnerability. We recommend upgrading past commit fd0815f632c24878e325821943edccc7fde947a2.
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
Google
Published
Updated
Aug 7, 2026, 6:47 PM
Reserved
Apr 21, 2023, 5:43 PM
Status
Modified
Published
May 1, 2023, 1:15 PM
Modified
Aug 7, 2026, 7:17 PM
Severity
Important
Public date
Mar 15, 2023, 12:00 AM