netfilter: conntrack: fix wrong ct->timeout value
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · Low · High
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 3 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat.
Summary
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: conntrack: fix wrong ct->timeout value (struct nf_conn)->timeout is an interval before the conntrack confirmed. After confirmed, it becomes a timestamp. It is observed that timeout of an unconfirmed conntrack: - Set by calling ctnetlink_change_timeout(). As a result, `nfct_time_stamp` was wrongly added to `ct->timeout` twice. - Get by calling ctnetlink_dump_timeout(). As a result, `nfct_time_stamp` was wrongly subtracted. Call Trace: <TASK> dump_stack_lvl ctnetlink_dump_timeout __ctnetlink_glue_build ctnetlink_glue_build __nfqnl_enqueue_packet nf_queue nf_hook_slow ip_mc_output ? __pfx_ip_finish_output ip_send_skb ? __pfx_dst_output udp_send_skb udp_sendmsg ? __pfx_ip_generic_getfrag sock_sendmsg Separate the 2 cases in: - Setting `ct->timeout` in __nf_ct_set_timeout(). - Getting `ct->timeout` in ctnetlink_dump_timeout(). Pablo appends: Update ctnetlink to set up the timeout _after_ the IPS_CONFIRMED flag is set on, otherwise conntrack creation via ctnetlink breaks. Note that the problem described in this patch occurs since the introduction of the nfnetlink_queue conntrack support, select a sufficiently old Fixes: tag for -stable kernel to pick up this fix.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- Yes
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 4.4 and later | 6.1.28, 6.2.15, 6.3.2, 6.4 | Patch available | CNA |
- Linux VendorLinux Affected 4.4 and later Fixed in 6.1.28, 6.2.15, 6.3.2, 6.4 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 1
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 4.4 to before 6.1.28; 6.2 to before 6.2.15; 6.3 to before 6.3.2 | Vulnerable | Linux |
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 4.4 to before 6.1.28; 6.2 to before 6.2.15; 6.3 to before 6.3.2 Vulnerable ·Linux
Remediation
- Fix · CNA Linux (Linux) Fixed in 6.1.28, 6.2.15, 6.3.2, 6.4
Red Hat 1 advisory
- RHSA-2023:6583 Released 2023-11-07 · Red Hat rating Importantkernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 9) kernel-tools-libs-devel-5.14.0-362.8.1.el9_3, libperf-5.14.0-362.8.1.el9_3
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9) kernel-64k-debug-devel-5.14.0-362.8.1.el9_3, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-362.8.1.el9_3, kernel-64k-devel-5.14.0-362.8.1.el9_3 +11
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 9) bpftool-7.2.0-362.8.1.el9_3, kernel-5.14.0-362.8.1.el9_3, kernel-64k-5.14.0-362.8.1.el9_3 +29
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 9) kernel-rt-5.14.0-362.8.1.el9_3, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-362.8.1.el9_3, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-362.8.1.el9_3 +9
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 9) kernel-rt-5.14.0-362.8.1.el9_3, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-362.8.1.el9_3, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-362.8.1.el9_3 +11
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | Affected | No fix planned: Out of support scope |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
Not affected: 2 products
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2023-53635
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-v8v9-wq25-mffx
- 2026-10-16 CISA SSVC decision points changed
- 2026-10-16 Priority changed: LOW → MEDIUM
References
More Linux Kernel vulnerabilities
- TI-2025-26358 tls: fix handling of zero-length records on the rx_list KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2026-38352 netfilter: bridge: make ebt_snat ARP rewrite writable KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2013-05264 The (1) get_user and (2) put_user API functions in the Linux kernel before 3.5.5 on the… KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2022-00125 Integer overflow in kernel KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.4
- TI-2013-01864 The perf_swevent_init function in kernel/events/core.c in the Linux kernel before 3.8.9… KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.4
- TI-2021-05514 Heap Out-Of-Bounds Write in Netfilter IP6T_SO_SET_REPLACE KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.3
Sources
- CVE-2023-53635 · CVE Program
- CVE-2023-53635 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-v8v9-wq25-mffx · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2023-53635 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences