CVE-2023-54200: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: nf_tables: always release netdev hooks from notifier This reverts "ne...

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: nf_tables: always release netdev hooks from notifier This reverts "netfilter: nf_tables: skip netdev events generated on netns removal". The problem is that when a veth device is released, the veth release callback will also queue the peer netns device for removal. Its possible that the peer netns is also slated for removal. In this case, the device memory is already released before the pre_exit hook of the peer netns runs: BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in nf_hook_entry_head+0x1b8/0x1d0 Read of size 8 at addr ffff88812c0124f0 by task kworker/u8:1/45 Workqueue: netns cleanup_net Call Trace: nf_hook_entry_head+0x1b8/0x1d0 __nf_unregister_net_hook+0x76/0x510 nft_netdev_unregister_hooks+0xa0/0x220 __nft_release_hook+0x184/0x490 nf_tables_pre_exit_net+0x12f/0x1b0 .. Order is: 1. First netns is released, veth_dellink() queues peer netns device for removal 2. peer netns is queued for removal 3. peer netns device is released, unreg event is triggered 4. unreg event is ignored because netns is going down 5. pre_exit hook calls nft_netdev_unregister_hooks but device memory might be free'd already.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.17%

7.1th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Affected Software

Source: CNA advisory (CVE.org). NVD analysis pending.

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux	>= 68a3765c659f809dcaac20030853a054646eb739, < 8d56f00c61f67b450fbbdcb874855e60ad92c560; >= 68a3765c659f809dcaac20030853a054646eb739, < 30e4b13b1bfbdf3bf3b27036d8209ea1b9f0d880; >= 68a3765c659f809dcaac20030853a054646eb739, < 94032527efbac13be702c76afb9d872c0cca7a43; >= 68a3765c659f809dcaac20030853a054646eb739, < dc1c9fd4a8bbe1e06add9053010b652449bfe411; 90c7c58aa2bd02c65a4c63b7dfe0b16eab12cf9f; >= 5.14.15, < 5.15
Linux	Linux	5.15

References

Timeline

Published: Dec 30, 2025
Last Modified: Aug 4, 2026
Status: Deferred

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-54200?

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: nf_tables: always release netdev hooks from notifier This reverts "netfilter: nf_tables: skip netdev events generated on netns removal". The problem is that when a veth device is released, the veth release callback will also queue the peer netns device for removal. Its possible that the peer netns is also slated for removal. In this case, the device memory is already released before the pre_exit hook of the peer netns runs: BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in nf_hook_entry_head+0x1b8/0x1d0 Read of size 8 at addr ffff88812c0124f0 by task kworker/u8:1/45 Workqueue: netns cleanup_net Call Trace: nf_hook_entry_head+0x1b8/0x1d0 __nf_unregister_net_hook+0x76/0x510 nft_netdev_unregister_hooks+0xa0/0x220 __nft_release_hook+0x184/0x490 nf_tables_pre_exit_net+0x12f/0x1b0 .. Order is: 1. First netns is released, veth_dellink() queues peer netns device for removal 2. peer netns is queued for removal 3. peer netns device is released, unreg event is triggered 4. unreg event is ignored because netns is going down 5. pre_exit hook calls nft_netdev_unregister_hooks but device memory might be free'd already.

How severe is CVE-2023-54200?

CVE-2023-54200 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.17% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2023-54200?

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.

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