CVE-2023-52919

What it actually does

The vulnerability is a possible NULL pointer dereference in the Linux kernel NFC NCI send_acknowledge() function when nci_skb_alloc() fails to allocate memory.

Why it matters to the business

Unpatched systems risk kernel crashes or instability during NFC operations, leading to service disruption and potential data loss in affected environments; low EPSS indicates limited active exploitation risk despite listed threat actor interest in similar kernel issues.

How an attack unfolds

An attacker with local access or the ability to trigger NFC NCI paths forces a memory allocation failure in send_acknowledge(), resulting in dereference of a NULL pointer and system instability or crash; no specific named actors or ransomware use reported for this issue.

How to fix it

Upgrade ibericode/mailchimp-for-wordpress (GIT) to the fixed commit 60c6bfc260a7974f791af1d4ad4a032a3e0bdd3c; apply kernel patches addressing the NULL dereference in nci_skb_alloc() handling.

How to confirm the fix worked

Verify the presence of the fix commit in the kernel source or package version; test NFC NCI paths under memory-constrained conditions to confirm no crash on allocation failure.

Typical attack path

1. Gain local access or trigger NFC-related operations on a vulnerable kernel
2. Induce memory pressure to cause nci_skb_alloc() failure
3. Invoke send_acknowledge() path leading to NULL dereference

How to detect it

Search kernel logs and crash dumps for NULL pointer dereference traces involving nci_skb_alloc or send_acknowledge; examine NFC-related process activity for signs of unexpected termination.

What your security team should do

• Prioritize patching affected kernels to the fixed version as soon as possible given publication age
• Monitor for similar kernel memory allocation issues in NFC and related subsystems
• Review system logs for unexpected crashes in nfc/nci code paths