CVE-2023-25775

What it actually does

Improper access control in the RDMA driver permits unauthenticated network attackers to bypass authorization checks and escalate privileges to full system control.

Why it matters to the business

Remote attackers can fully compromise Linux servers using this driver, leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or persistent unauthorized access with minimal effort.

How an attack unfolds

An attacker sends specially crafted network packets to the exposed RDMA interface; the missing access control check allows privilege escalation without authentication or user interaction.

How to fix it

Update the Intel Ethernet Controller RDMA driver for Linux to version 1.9.30 or newer; disable RDMA interfaces if the update cannot be applied immediately.

How to confirm the fix worked

Query the loaded driver version with ethtool or modinfo; confirm the version is 1.9.30 or later and test that unauthorized network access is rejected.

Typical attack path

1. Identify hosts exposing the Intel Ethernet RDMA driver on the network
2. Send crafted RDMA packets to trigger the authorization bypass
3. Escalate to root-level privileges on the target system
4. Install persistence mechanisms or exfiltrate data

How to detect it

Review network logs and driver audit trails for unexpected RDMA connection attempts from untrusted sources; look for sudden privilege escalations in system logs after RDMA traffic.

What your security team should do

• Prioritize patching all systems running the affected RDMA driver within the next 30 days given the critical CVSS score
• Scan the environment for any exposed RDMA ports and restrict them to trusted networks only
• Monitor for unusual privilege changes or new processes spawned from network-facing services