CVE-2023-53006 cifs: Fix oops due to uncleared server->smbd_conn in reconnect

Critical 9.8 Published Updated

A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel CIFS module allows attackers to cause a system crash during reconnection.

Exploited in the wild
Not known
Login needed
Not needed
Attackable
Over the internet
Victim action needed
Not needed
Fix
Available

What is CVE-2023-53006?

CVE-2023-53006 is a critical use after free vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 27 Mar 2025. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

Official description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

cifs: Fix oops due to uncleared server->smbd_conn in reconnect

In smbd_destroy(), clear the server->smbd_conn pointer after freeing the smbd_connection struct that it points to so that reconnection doesn't get confused.

Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-53006?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Linux kernel.

How do I fix CVE-2023-53006?

Apply the vendor's patch.

Upgrade to the fixed version. These bugs are found with fuzzing and sanitisers and avoided by memory-safe languages. More about Use after free.

Is CVE-2023-53006 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-53006 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Linux kernel vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as BELL-CVE-2023-53006, DEBIAN-CVE-2023-53006, GHSA-pjg2-rfg9-hrh3, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-53006.

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