CVE-2023-0266
HighExploitedPublic exploitA use after free vulnerability exists in the ALSA PCM package in the Linux Kernel.
Published May 2, 2023 · Updated Oct 14, 2026 · Also known as A-265303544, DEBIAN-CVE-2023-0266, PUB-A-265303544, SUSE-SU-2023:1576-1, SUSE-SU-2023:1591-1, SUSE-SU-2023:1592-1, SUSE-SU-2023:1595-1, SUSE-SU-2023:1602-1, SUSE-SU-2023:1619-1, SUSE-SU-2023:1639-1, SUSE-SU-2023:1640-1, SUSE-SU-2023:1647-1, SUSE-SU-2023:1649-1, SUSE-SU-2023:1653-1, SUSE-SU-2023:1708-1, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-0266
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2023-0266 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.0 v3.1) affecting Debian Linux, Linux Kernel, linux-5.10 (debian) and 22 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Mar 29, 2023. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 3.7% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including :linux_kernel: :2023-04-05, ALSA pcm 56b88b50565cd8b946a2d00b0c83927b7ebb055e, bpftool 4.18.0-425.19.2.el8_7.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
7.0
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
3.7%
Higher than 89.5% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2023-0266 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
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
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Mar 30, 2023 | Apr 20, 2023 | Not reported |
| Industry KEV feed | Mar 29, 2023 | Apr 20, 2023 | Not reported |
| CIRCL KEV | Mar 30, 2023 | Apr 20, 2023 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | Mar 30, 2023 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected Products
816 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Debian LinuxDebian | 10.0 | n/a |
| Linux KernelLinux | See advisory | 4.14.303 |
| linux-5.10debian | See advisory | 5.10.162-1~deb10u1 |
| linuxdebian | See advisory | 5.10.162-1 |
| rootio-linuxrootio | See advisory | 5.10.162-1 |
Patched Releases
:linux_kernel:
:2023-04-05
ALSA pcm
56b88b50565cd8b946a2d00b0c83927b7ebb055e
bpftool
4.18.0-425.19.2.el8_7, 5.10.46-2.ph4, 5.14.0-162.22.2.el9_1, 5.15.0-8.91.4.1.el8uek, 5.15.0-8.91.4.1.el9uek
cluster-md-kmp-64kb
5.14.21-150400.24.46.1
cluster-md-kmp-azure
5.14.21-150400.14.34.1
cluster-md-kmp-default
4.12.14-122.150.1, 5.14.21-150400.24.46.1, 5.3.18-150200.24.142.1, 5.3.18-150300.59.109.1
cluster-md-kmp-rt
4.12.14-10.115.1, 5.14.21-150400.15.11.1, 5.3.18-150300.121.1
dlm-kmp-64kb
5.14.21-150400.24.46.1
dlm-kmp-azure
5.14.21-150400.14.34.1
dlm-kmp-default
4.12.14-122.150.1, 5.14.21-150400.24.46.1, 5.3.18-150200.24.142.1, 5.3.18-150300.59.109.1
dlm-kmp-rt
4.12.14-10.115.1, 5.14.21-150400.15.11.1, 5.3.18-150300.121.1
dtb-aarch64
5.14.21-150400.24.46.1, 5.3.18-150300.59.109.1
dtb-al
5.3.18-150300.59.109.1
dtb-allwinner
5.14.21-150400.24.46.1
dtb-altera
5.14.21-150400.24.46.1
dtb-amazon
5.14.21-150400.24.46.1
dtb-amd
5.14.21-150400.24.46.1
dtb-amlogic
5.14.21-150400.24.46.1
dtb-apm
5.14.21-150400.24.46.1
dtb-apple
5.14.21-150400.24.46.1
dtb-arm
5.14.21-150400.24.46.1
dtb-broadcom
5.14.21-150400.24.46.1
dtb-cavium
5.14.21-150400.24.46.1
dtb-exynos
5.14.21-150400.24.46.1
dtb-freescale
5.14.21-150400.24.46.1
Timeline
Added to Industry KEV feed
Mar 29, 2023
Added to CISA KEV
Mar 30, 2023
Added to CIRCL KEV
Mar 30, 2023
Added to ENISA EUVD
Mar 30, 2023
Publicly disclosed
May 2, 2023
Last updated
Oct 14, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-416 Use After Free
References
- advisoryRHSA-2023:1202
- advisoryRHSA-2023:1203
- advisoryRHSA-2023:1435
- advisoryRHSA-2023:1469
- advisoryRHSA-2023:1470
FAQ
Common Questions.
A use after free vulnerability exists in the ALSA PCM package in the Linux Kernel.
Affected: Debian Linux versions 10.0; Linux Kernel; linux-5.10 (debian), among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Mar 29, 2023.
Yes. It was added on Mar 30, 2023 with a federal remediation due date of Apr 20, 2023.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including :linux_kernel: :2023-04-05, ALSA pcm 56b88b50565cd8b946a2d00b0c83927b7ebb055e, bpftool 4.18.0-425.19.2.el8_7.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
Is CVE-2023-0266 Running On Your Attack Surface?
Brandefense maps vulnerabilities like this one to your internet-facing assets and tells you exactly where to patch.
Request A Demo