CVE-2023-0266
Confirmed PUBLISHEDUse after free in SNDRV_CTL_IOCTL_ELEM in Linux Kernel
Recommended Action
Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
At a Glance
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
- CVE Published
- Jan 30, 2023
- Exploitation Reported
- Mar 30, 2023
- CVSS
- 7.9 High
- EPSS
- —
Affected Versions
| Vendor | Product | Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux |
Linux Kernel
ALSA pcm |
4.14 to < 56b88b50565cd8b946a2d00b0c83927b7ebb055e |
Affected |
CVE References
- GitHub — torvalds/linux github.com · CVE Record https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/becf9e5d553c2389d857a3c178ce...
- git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/stable-queue... git.kernel.org · CVE Record https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/stable-queue.g...
- GitHub — torvalds/linux github.com · CVE Record https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/56b88b50565cd8b946a2d00b0c83...
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/05/msg00006.html lists.debian.org · CVE Record https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/05/msg00006.html
Recommended Actions
- Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
- Check enrichment artifacts for scanner coverage and available PoCs before rolling remediation validation.
- Use the Pro API to automate enrichment, telemetry, and workflow delivery for VM, SOC, and CTI pipelines.
Known Exploited Vulnerability Sources
Catalogues that list this CVE as a known exploited vulnerability.
Per-source evidence links for KEV attestations are available through the KEVIntel Pro API.
Learn about Pro API access| Source | Added |
|---|---|
| CISA First | 2023-03-30 00:00 UTC |
No detection artifacts or sensor request patterns are available for this CVE yet.
Check back as sensor telemetry and scanner integrations are updated.
Virtual Patch
Compensating WAF rules to help reduce exposure to this CVE. Rule content and deployable vendor exports are available with KEVIntel Enterprise.
KEVIntel does not currently have a virtual patch for this CVE. When available, KEVIntel virtual patches ship as deployable ModSecurity, Cloudflare, and AWS WAF rules.
Enterprise feature. Virtual patch rule content and deployable vendor exports (ModSecurity, Cloudflare, AWS WAF) are available to KEVIntel Enterprise users.
CVSS Scores
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:H/A:H
Exploitation Status
Exploited in the wild
Recorded 2023-03-30 00:00:00 UTC · CISA
Weaknesses (CWE)
-
Use After Free
Scanner Integrations
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Nessus | https://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/236642 | Jun 02, 2025 |
Timeline
Key exploitation, disclosure, scanner coverage, and KEV attestation events for this CVE.
-
09:27 UTC about 1 year ago09:27 UTC · about 1 year ago
Nessus plugin available
Scanner coverage available
-
00:00 UTC over 3 years ago00:00 UTC · over 3 years ago
Added to CISA KEV
Listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
-
13:09 UTC over 3 years ago13:09 UTC · over 3 years ago
CVE published
Vulnerability disclosed publicly
-
07:58 UTC over 3 years ago07:58 UTC · over 3 years ago
CVE ID reserved
Identifier reserved by the CNA
Automate This Intelligence with the Pro API
Confidence scoring, exploit status, sensor telemetry, PoCs, scanner integrations, mentions, and tags are available programmatically for VM, SOC, and CTI workflows.
Pro API Example
GET /api/v2/pro/kevs/CVE-2023-0266
{
"cve_id": "CVE-2023-0266",
"title": "Use after free in SNDRV_CTL_IOCTL_ELEM in Linux Kernel",
"affected_vendor": "Linux",
"affected_product": "Linux Kernel",
"affected_versions": [
{ "vendor": "...", "product": "...", "status": "affected", "display_label": "..." }
],
"confidence": "Confirmed",
"cvss_score": 7.9,
"epss_score": null,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": false
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "...": "Pro API fields" },
"proof_of_concepts": [ "..." ],
"scanner_integrations": [ "..." ]
}