CVE-2023-5972

Name: CVE-2023-5972
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2023-11-23T18:15:07.47+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 0.28%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2023-5972 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. A null pointer dereference flaw was found in the nft_inner.c functionality of netfilter in the Linux kernel. This issue could allow a local user to crash the system or escalate their privileges on the system.. EPSS estimates a 0.28% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A null pointer dereference flaw was found in the nft_inner.c functionality of netfilter in the Linux kernel. This issue could allow a local user to crash the system or escalate their privileges on the system.

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

0.28%

19.3th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions	Update
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 6.2.1, <= 6.5.10	—
Linux	Linux Kernel	6.2	Rc1
Linux	Linux Kernel	6.2.0	Rc1
Linux	Linux Kernel	6.6	Rc1
Fedoraproject	Fedora	39	—

References

https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2023-5972Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2248189Issue Tracking, Patch
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/505ce0630ad5d31185695f8a29dde8d29f28faa7Patch
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/52177bbf19e6e9398375a148d2e13ed492b40b80Patch
https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2023-5972Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2248189Issue Tracking, Patch
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/505ce0630ad5d31185695f8a29dde8d29f28faa7Patch
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/52177bbf19e6e9398375a148d2e13ed492b40b80Patch

Timeline

Published: Nov 23, 2023
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-5972?

How severe is CVE-2023-5972?

CVE-2023-5972 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.28% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2023-5972?

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-2023-5972?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST