CVE-2023-54173

Published Dec 30, 2025 Modified Apr 15, 2026

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Disable preemption in bpf_event_output We received report [1] of kernel crash, which is caused by using nesting protection without disabled preemption. The bpf_event_output can be called by programs executed by bpf_prog_run_array_cg function that disabled migration but keeps preemption enabled. This can cause task to be preempted by another one inside the nesting protection and lead eventually to two tasks using same perf_sample_data buffer and cause crashes like: BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000001 #PF: supervisor instruction fetch in kernel mode #PF: error_code(0x0010) - not-present page ... ? perf_output_sample+0x12a/0x9a0 ? finish_task_switch.isra.0+0x81/0x280 ? perf_event_output+0x66/0xa0 ? bpf_event_output+0x13a/0x190 ? bpf_event_output_data+0x22/0x40 ? bpf_prog_dfc84bbde731b257_cil_sock4_connect+0x40a/0xacb ? xa_load+0x87/0xe0 ? __cgroup_bpf_run_filter_sock_addr+0xc1/0x1a0 ? release_sock+0x3e/0x90 ? sk_setsockopt+0x1a1/0x12f0 ? udp_pre_connect+0x36/0x50 ? inet_dgram_connect+0x93/0xa0 ? __sys_connect+0xb4/0xe0 ? udp_setsockopt+0x27/0x40 ? __pfx_udp_push_pending_frames+0x10/0x10 ? __sys_setsockopt+0xdf/0x1a0 ? __x64_sys_connect+0xf/0x20 ? do_syscall_64+0x3a/0x90 ? entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x72/0xdc Fixing this by disabling preemption in bpf_event_output. [1] https://github.com/cilium/cilium/issues/26756

Is your site exposed to CVE-2023-54173?

Run a free security scan — no signup, results in seconds.

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-54173? +
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Disable preemption in bpf_event_output We received report [1] of kernel crash, which is caused by using nesting protection without disabled preemption. The bpf_event_output can be called by programs executed by bpf_prog_run_array_cg function that disabled migration but keeps preemption enabled. This can cause task to be preempted by another one inside the nesting protection and lead eventually to two tasks using same perf_sample_data buffer and cause crashes like: BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000001 #PF: supervisor instruction fetch in kernel mode #PF: error_code(0x0010) - not-present page ... ? perf_output_sample+0x12a/0x9a0 ? finish_task_switch.isra.0+0x81/0x280 ? perf_event_output+0x66/0xa0 ? bpf_event_output+0x13a/0x190 ? bpf_event_output_data+0x22/0x40 ? bpf_prog_dfc84bbde731b257_cil_sock4_connect+0x40a/0xacb ? xa_load+0x87/0xe0 ? __cgroup_bpf_run_filter_sock_addr+0xc1/0x1a0 ? release_sock+0x3e/0x90 ? sk_setsockopt+0x1a1/0x12f0 ? udp_pre_connect+0x36/0x50 ? inet_dgram_connect+0x93/0xa0 ? __sys_connect+0xb4/0xe0 ? udp_setsockopt+0x27/0x40 ? __pfx_udp_push_pending_frames+0x10/0x10 ? __sys_setsockopt+0xdf/0x1a0 ? __x64_sys_connect+0xf/0x20 ? do_syscall_64+0x3a/0x90 ? entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x72/0xdc Fixing this by disabling preemption in bpf_event_output. [1] https://github.com/cilium/cilium/issues/26756
How do I check if I'm vulnerable to CVE-2023-54173? +
You can use Secably's free Website Scanner to check your website for known vulnerabilities. For infrastructure scanning, use the Port Scanner to identify exposed services that may be affected. Check the vendor advisories linked above for specific patch and version information.

Don't wait for an exploit

Scan your website for vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-54173 — free, no signup required.