CVE-2023-4244

Name: CVE-2023-4244
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2023-09-06T14:15:11.877+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7/10EPSS 0.22%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2023-4244 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7/10 on the CVSS scale. A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's netfilter: nf_tables component can be exploited to achieve local privilege escalation. Due to a race condition between nf_tables netlink control plane transaction and nft_set element garbage collection, it is possible to underflow the reference counter causing a use-after-free vulnerability. We recommend upgrading past commit 3e91b0ebd994635df2346353322ac51ce84ce6d8.. EPSS estimates a 0.22% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's netfilter: nf_tables component can be exploited to achieve local privilege escalation. Due to a race condition between nf_tables netlink control plane transaction and nft_set element garbage collection, it is possible to underflow the reference counter causing a use-after-free vulnerability. We recommend upgrading past commit 3e91b0ebd994635df2346353322ac51ce84ce6d8.

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

0.22%

12.1th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux Kernel	< 6.5
Debian	Debian Linux	10.0

References

https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=3e91b0ebd994635df2346353322ac51ce84ce6d8Issue Tracking, Mailing List, Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://kernel.dance/3e91b0ebd994635df2346353322ac51ce84ce6d8Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/10/msg00027.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/01/msg00004.html
https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=3e91b0ebd994635df2346353322ac51ce84ce6d8Issue Tracking, Mailing List, Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://kernel.dance/3e91b0ebd994635df2346353322ac51ce84ce6d8Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/10/msg00027.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/01/msg00004.html

Timeline

Published: Sep 6, 2023
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-4244?

How severe is CVE-2023-4244?

CVE-2023-4244 has a CVSS score of 7/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.22% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2023-4244?

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-2023-4244?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST