CVE-2023-53246
5.5 · MEDIUMIn the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: cifs: fix DFS traversal oops without CONFIG_CIFS_DFS_UPCALL When compiled with CONFIG_CIFS_DFS_UPCALL disabled, cifs_dfs_d_auto…
Overview
CVE-2023-53246 is a medium-severity vulnerability. It was published on September 15, 2025 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.5 (MEDIUM).
This vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.5, rated MEDIUM. It requires local or adjacent network access to exploit. Some level of privileges is required for exploitation.
Technical description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
cifs: fix DFS traversal oops without CONFIG_CIFS_DFS_UPCALL
When compiled with CONFIG_CIFS_DFS_UPCALL disabled, cifs_dfs_d_automount
is NULL. cifs.ko logic for mapping CIFS_FATTR_DFS_REFERRAL attributes to
S_AUTOMOUNT and corresponding dentry flags is retained regardless of
CONFIG_CIFS_DFS_UPCALL, leading to a NULL pointer dereference in
VFS follow_automount() when traversing a DFS referral link:
BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000000
...
Call Trace:
<TASK>
__traverse_mounts+0xb5/0x220
? cifs_revalidate_mapping+0x65/0xc0 [cifs]
step_into+0x195/0x610
? lookup_fast+0xe2/0xf0
path_lookupat+0x64/0x140
filename_lookup+0xc2/0x140
? __create_object+0x299/0x380
? kmem_cache_alloc+0x119/0x220
? user_path_at_empty+0x31/0x50
user_path_at_empty+0x31/0x50
__x64_sys_chdir+0x2a/0xd0
? exit_to_user_mode_prepare+0xca/0x100
do_syscall_64+0x42/0x90
entry_SYSCAL
Remediation
Check the references section for vendor advisories, patches, and mitigation guidance. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.
References
How CyberStrike helps
Reason, not just scan
It reasons through your app's logic the way a human pentester would, so it finds flaws signature scanners miss.
Learn moreVerified findings
Every finding is proven exploitable before you see it, which cuts the false positives that bury real risk.
Learn moreAI-driven DAST and SAST
Probe running apps and read source from one engine, so issues are caught before and after they ship.
Learn moreOpen source
Read exactly how it tests and what it reports. CyberStrike is open source and in early access.
View the repo
Frequently asked questions
What is CVE-2023-53246?
CVE-2023-53246 is a medium-severity vulnerability. It was published on September 15, 2025 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.5 (MEDIUM).
How severe is CVE-2023-53246?
This vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.5, rated MEDIUM. It requires local or adjacent network access to exploit. Some level of privileges is required for exploitation.
How do I fix or remediate CVE-2023-53246?
Check the references section for vendor advisories, patches, and mitigation guidance. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.
How can CyberStrike help with CVE-2023-53246?
CyberStrike is an open-source, AI-augmented pentesting engine. Rather than flag a version number, it tests whether an issue like CVE-2023-53246 is actually reachable in your own applications and APIs, then verifies each finding before reporting it. That tells you if the weakness is a real, exploitable risk in your environment or a false positive you can safely deprioritize.
Related MEDIUM CVEs from 2023
View all- 6.9CVE-2023-25562
DataHub is an open-source metadata platform. In versions of DataHub prior to 0.8.45 Session cookies
View details - 6.9CVE-2022-34397
Dell Unisphere for PowerMax vApp, VASA Provider vApp, and Solution Enabler vApp version 10.0.0.5 an
View details - 6.9CVE-2023-26107
All versions of the package sketchsvg are vulnerable to Arbitrary Code Injection when invoking shell
View details - 6.9CVE-2023-28999
Nextcloud is an open-source productivity platform. In Nextcloud Desktop client 3.0.0 until 3.8.0, Ne
View details - 6.9CVE-2022-46361
An attacker having physical access to WDM can plug USB device to gain access and execute unwanted co
View details - 6.9CVE-2023-35946
Gradle is a build tool with a focus on build automation and support for multi-language development.
View details - 6.9CVE-2023-35947
Gradle is a build tool with a focus on build automation and support for multi-language development.
View details - 6.9CVE-2023-30564
Alaris Systems Manager does not perform input validation during the Device Import Function.
View details - 6.9CVE-2022-44611
Improper input validation in the BIOS firmware for some Intel(R) Processors may allow a privileged u
View details - 6.9CVE-2023-28075
Dell BIOS contain a Time-of-check Time-of-use vulnerability in BIOS. A local authenticated maliciou
View details - 6.9CVE-2023-4816
A vulnerability exists in the Equipment Tag Out authentication, when configured with Single Sign-On
View details - 6.9CVE-2023-41333
Cilium is a networking, observability, and security solution with an eBPF-based dataplane. An attack
View details