CVE-2023-1193 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE record involves a use-after-free vulnerability in the

setup_async_work()

function within the KSMBD implementation of the in-kernel Samba server and CIFS in the Linux kernel.

Understanding CVE-2023-1193

This section will delve into what CVE-2023-1193 entails and its potential impacts.

What is CVE-2023-1193?

CVE-2023-1193 is a use-after-free flaw found in the implementation of the Samba server and CIFS in the Linux kernel. Exploiting this vulnerability could potentially lead to system crashes by allowing unauthorized access to freed work structures.

The Impact of CVE-2023-1193

The impact of this vulnerability includes the possibility of an attacker causing system crashes, which could disrupt critical services and operations running on the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-1193

In this section, we will explore the technical details of CVE-2023-1193, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The use-after-free vulnerability in

setup_async_work()

could be exploited by an attacker to crash the system by accessing freed work structures.

Affected Systems and Versions

Kernel version 6.3-rc6 is listed as unaffected.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux versions 6, 7, 8, and 9 are also marked as unaffected for certain packages.
Fedora is confirmed to be affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability could be exploited by malicious actors to access freed work structures, potentially leading to system crashes.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section will outline steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-1193 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should apply security patches issued by relevant vendors promptly.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities.
Conduct routine security audits and penetration testing to identify and remediate weaknesses proactively.

Patching and Updates

Refer to vendor-specific resources such as Red Hat's security updates for patch availability and installation instructions.
Stay informed about security advisories and follow best practices for secure software development and deployment.