Zero-day vulnerability in Linux kernel

Use-after-free
CVE-2023-0266

In December 2022 a complete exploit chain was discovered consisting of multiple 0-days and n-days targeting the latest version of Samsung Internet Browser. The exploits were delivered in one-time links sent via SMS to devices located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The link directed users to a landing page identical to the one Google TAG examined in the Heliconia framework developed by commercial spyware vendor Variston. The exploit chain ultimately delivered a fully featured Android spyware suite written in C++ that includes libraries for decrypting and capturing data from various chat and browser applications. The actor using the exploit chain to target UAE users may be a customer or partner of Variston, or otherwise working closely with the spyware vendor.

Vulnerability details

Advisory: SB2023012447 - Use-after-free in Linux kernel

Vulnerable component: Linux kernel

CVE-ID: CVE-2023-0266

CVSSv3 score: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:H/RL:O/RC:C

CWE-ID: CWE-416 - Use After Free

Description:

The vulnerability allows a local user to escalate privileges on the system.

The vulnerability exists due to a use-after-free error within the snd_ctl_elem_read() function in the Linux kernel sound subsystem. A local user can trigger a use-after-free error and execute arbitrary code on the system.

Note, the vulnerability is being actively exploited in the wild.

External links:

https://blog.google/threat-analysis-group/spyware-vendors-use-0-days-and-n-days-against-popular-plat...

About zero-day vulnerabilities

Zero-day vulnerability is an undisclosed vulnerability in software that hackers can exploit to compromise computer programs, gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, penetrate networks, etc. We consider vulnerability a zero-day when there is no solution provided from software vendor and the vulnerability is being actively exploited by malicious actors.

Zero-day candidate is a potential zero-day vulnerability in software which might have been used in targeted attacks, however there is no evidence to support this suggestion.