CVE-2023-0266

Name: CVE-2023-0266
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2023-01-30T14:15:10.5+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7/10Actively ExploitedEPSS 3.70%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2023-0266 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7/10 on the CVSS scale. A use after free vulnerability exists in the ALSA PCM package in the Linux Kernel. SNDRV_CTL_IOCTL_ELEM_{READ|WRITE}32 is missing locks that can be used in a use-after-free that can result in a priviledge escalation to gain ring0 access from the system user. We recommend upgrading past commit 56b88b50565cd8b946a2d00b0c83927b7ebb055e. CISA has confirmed active exploitation in the wild. EPSS estimates a 3.70% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A use after free vulnerability exists in the ALSA PCM package in the Linux Kernel. SNDRV_CTL_IOCTL_ELEM_{READ|WRITE}32 is missing locks that can be used in a use-after-free that can result in a priviledge escalation to gain ring0 access from the system user. We recommend upgrading past commit 56b88b50565cd8b946a2d00b0c83927b7ebb055e

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

3.70%

88.3th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Exploitation Status

This vulnerability is listed in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies must remediate by Apr 20, 2023.

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Debian	Debian Linux	10.0
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.14, < 4.14.303
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.15, < 4.19.270
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.20, < 5.4.229
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 5.5, < 5.10.163
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 5.11, < 5.15.88
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 5.16, < 6.1.6

References

https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/stable-queue.git/tree/queue-5.10/alsa-pcm-move-rwsem-lock-inside-snd_ctl_elem_read-to-prevent-uaf.patch?id=72783cf35e6c55bca84c4bb7b776c58152856fd4Mailing List, Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/56b88b50565cd8b946a2d00b0c83927b7ebb055ePatch
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/becf9e5d553c2389d857a3c178ce80fdb34a02e1Patch
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/05/msg00006.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/stable-queue.git/tree/queue-5.10/alsa-pcm-move-rwsem-lock-inside-snd_ctl_elem_read-to-prevent-uaf.patch?id=72783cf35e6c55bca84c4bb7b776c58152856fd4Mailing List, Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/56b88b50565cd8b946a2d00b0c83927b7ebb055ePatch
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/becf9e5d553c2389d857a3c178ce80fdb34a02e1Patch
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/05/msg00006.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-0266US Government Resource

Timeline

Published: Jan 30, 2023
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-0266?

How severe is CVE-2023-0266?

CVE-2023-0266 has a CVSS score of 7/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 3.70% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

How do I fix CVE-2023-0266?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2023-0266?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

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Source: NVD / NIST