CVE-2023-53669

tcp: fix skb_copy_ubufs() vs BIG TCP

Published Oct 7, 2025 CVSS 3.1 · 7.8 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

tcp: fix skb_copy_ubufs() vs BIG TCP

David Ahern reported crashes in skb_copy_ubufs() caused by TCP tx zerocopy
using hugepages, and skb length bigger than ~68 KB.

skb_copy_ubufs() assumed it could copy all payload using up to
MAX_SKB_FRAGS order-0 pages.

This assumption broke when BIG TCP was able to put up to 512 KB per skb.

We did not hit this bug at Google because we use CONFIG_MAX_SKB_FRAGS=45
and limit gso_max_size to 180000.

A solution is to use higher order pages if needed.

v2: add missing __GFP_COMP, or we leak memory.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-401
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.0, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
Type Values Removed Values Added
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.0, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

threat_severity

Important

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: tcp: fix skb_copy_ubufs() vs BIG TCP David Ahern reported crashes in skb_copy_ubufs() caused by TCP tx zerocopy using hugepages, and skb length bigger than ~68 KB. skb_copy_ubufs() assumed it could copy all payload using up to MAX_SKB_FRAGS order-0 pages. This assumption broke when BIG TCP was able to put up to 512 KB per skb. We did not hit this bug at Google because we use CONFIG_MAX_SKB_FRAGS=45 and limit gso_max_size to 180000. A solution is to use higher order pages if needed. v2: add missing __GFP_COMP, or we leak memory.
Title tcp: fix skb_copy_ubufs() vs BIG TCP
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
Linux
Published
Updated
Oct 15, 2026, 9:41 PM
Reserved
Oct 7, 2025, 3:16 PM
Status
Modified
Published
Oct 7, 2025, 4:15 PM
Modified
Oct 15, 2026, 10:17 PM
Severity
Important
Public date
Oct 7, 2025, 12:00 AM