CVE-2023-46838

Linux: netback processing of zero-length transmit fragment

Published Jan 29, 2024 CVSS 3.1 · 7.5 High EPSS 1.2% KEV · Not listed
Description
Transmit requests in Xen's virtual network protocol can consist of
multiple parts. While not really useful, except for the initial part
any of them may be of zero length, i.e. carry no data at all. Besides a
certain initial portion of the to be transferred data, these parts are
directly translated into what Linux calls SKB fragments. Such converted
request parts can, when for a particular SKB they are all of length
zero, lead to a de-reference of NULL in core networking code.

Remediation

Vendor Workaround

Using a userspace PV network backend (e.g. the qemu based "qnic" backend) will mitigate the problem. Using a dedicated network driver domain per guest will mitigate the problem.

Tracking

Sign in to view the affected projects.

Advisories

Source ID Title
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-3840-1 linux security update
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-3841-1 linux-5.10 security update
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2023-51004 Transmit requests in Xen's virtual network protocol can consist of multiple parts. While not really useful, except for the initial part any of them may be of zero length, i.e. carry no data at all. Besides a certain initial portion of the to be transferred data, these parts are directly translated into what Linux calls SKB fragments. Such converted request parts can, when for a particular SKB they are all of length zero, lead to a de-reference of NULL in core networking code.
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-6688-1 Linux kernel (OEM) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-6701-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-6701-2 Linux kernel (GCP) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-6701-3 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-6701-4 Linux kernel (Azure) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-6724-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-6724-2 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-6725-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-6725-2 Linux kernel (AWS) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-6726-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-6726-2 Linux kernel (IoT) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-6726-3 Linux kernel (Xilinx ZynqMP) vulnerabilities
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Transmit requests in Xen's virtual network protocol can consist of multiple parts. While not really useful, except for the initial part any of them may be of zero length, i.e. carry no data at all. Besides a certain initial portion of the to be transferred data, these parts are directly translated into what Linux calls SKB fragments. Such converted request parts can, when for a particular SKB they are all of length zero, lead to a de-reference of NULL in core networking code. Transmit requests in Xen's virtual network protocol can consist of multiple parts. While not really useful, except for the initial part any of them may be of zero length, i.e. carry no data at all. Besides a certain initial portion of the to be transferred data, these parts are directly translated into what Linux calls SKB fragments. Such converted request parts can, when for a particular SKB they are all of length zero, lead to a de-reference of NULL in core networking code.
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Debian
Debian debian Linux
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:10.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Debian
Debian debian Linux
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
XEN
Published
Updated
Nov 4, 2025, 6:18 PM
Reserved
Oct 27, 2023, 7:55 AM
Status
Modified
Published
Jan 29, 2024, 11:15 AM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 6:31 AM