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PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief

CVE-2023-0266 Linux CVE debrief

CVE-2023-0266 is a Linux kernel use-after-free vulnerability that CISA added to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2023-03-30, with remediation due by 2023-04-20. The official guidance is to apply vendor updates, and the kernel stable-queue patch referenced in the source notes indicates a fix in the ALSA PCM area aimed at preventing the UAF.

Vendor
Linux
Product
Kernel
CVSS
HIGH 7.9
CISA KEV
Listed
Original CVE published
2023-03-30
Original CVE updated
2023-03-30
Advisory published
2023-03-30
Advisory updated
2023-03-30

Who should care

Linux system administrators, distro maintainers, cloud platform teams, and embedded/device operators running vulnerable Linux kernel builds should prioritize this issue, especially on systems that cannot patch quickly.

Technical summary

A use-after-free in the Linux kernel means code can access memory after it has been released, which can lead to instability and security risk. The supplied official sources do not provide affected version ranges or exploitation mechanics, but CISA’s KEV listing confirms the issue is treated as actively exploited and requires prompt remediation.

Defensive priority

High — this is a CISA Known Exploited Vulnerability. Prioritize patching Linux kernel deployments immediately, using the vendor’s updates and the KEV due date as the urgency benchmark.

Recommended defensive actions

  • Apply the vendor-supplied Linux kernel updates as soon as possible on all exposed and high-value systems.
  • Confirm that your distribution packages include the kernel fix referenced by the official stable-queue patch note.
  • Inventory servers, desktops, containers, and appliances to identify all Linux kernel versions in use.
  • Plan and execute reboots or maintenance windows needed for kernel updates to take effect.
  • Verify remediation with configuration management or package inventory records and watch for failed or missed deployments.

Evidence notes

This debrief is based on the supplied official records: the CISA KEV feed entry published on 2023-03-30, the CVE record, the NVD detail page, and the CISA KEV catalog. The source notes also reference an official Linux kernel stable-queue patch URL whose filename indicates an ALSA PCM change intended to prevent a use-after-free. The corpus does not include affected version ranges, CVSS data, or exploitation mechanics.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2023-0266 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-0266

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2023-0266 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-0266

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

  • CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog

    Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency - Official CISA catalog of vulnerabilities known to be exploited in the wild.

Supplemental references

  • Source item URL

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/feeds/known_exploited_vulnerabilities.json

    cisa_kev

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.