# CVE-2023-6270: Kernel: aoe: improper reference count leads to use-after-free vulnerability

Status: published. Published: 2024-01-04. Updated: 2026-11-05.

A flaw was found in the ATA over Ethernet (AoE) driver in the Linux kernel. The aoecmd_cfg_pkts() function improperly updates the refcnt on `struct net_device`, and a use-after-free can be triggered by racing between the free on the struct and the access through the `skbtxq` global queue. This could lead to a denial of service condition or potential code execution.

## Remediation

- workaround: Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options do not meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability. (source: CNA: redhat)

## Affected products and versions

- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 (kernel): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 (kernel): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 (kernel-rt): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 (kernel): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 (kernel-rt): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 (kernel): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 (kernel-rt): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat

## Severity and prioritization

- CVSS 3.1: 7 (high); CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H; source: CNA: redhat

- CISA KEV: No listing in collected sources

- EPSS: 0.41% as of 2026-11-04; percentile 35.38%

- SSVC: exploitation none; automatable no; technical impact partial; source ADP: CISA-ADP

- Weaknesses: CWE-416

## Exploit evidence

No exploit evidence in collected sources. This is not proof of no exploitation.

## References

- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2023-6270 (CNA: redhat; vdb-entry, x_refsource_REDHAT)

- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2256786 (CNA: redhat; issue-tracking, x_refsource_REDHAT)

- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2023-6270 (ADP: CVE; vdb-entry, x_refsource_REDHAT, x_transferred)

- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2256786 (ADP: CVE; issue-tracking, x_refsource_REDHAT, x_transferred)

- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/06/msg00017.html (ADP: CVE; x_transferred)

- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/06/msg00020.html (ADP: CVE; x_transferred)

## Provenance

- CNA: redhat: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-6270; retrieved 2026-11-05; source updated 2026-11-05

- FIRST EPSS: https://api.first.org/data/v1/epss?cve=CVE-2023-6270; retrieved 2026-11-05; source updated Not reported

Revision: 7b84eb790ad396fa9f57695369cce8e9ac943d0df15c788526c634548ccb4f61

Canonical: https://y2.dev/cve/CVE-2023-6270

## Agent and API access

Public CVE pages, Markdown, and JSON are free to read without an account or API key.

- Public catalog: https://y2.dev/cve/index.json. Follow nextCursor with the same search, filters, sort, and limit (1–100). A null cursor marks the end.

- WebMCP: search_cve_disclosures, get_cve_disclosure, get_cve_page_markdown, get_y2_cve_access. Available in compatible browsers.

- Cyber API: https://api.y2.dev/api/v2/cyber/cves and https://api.y2.dev/api/v2/cyber/cves/{cveId}.

- Y2 Pro or Elite: create a workspace API key with the intel:cyber scope and send Authorization: Bearer <Y2_API_KEY>. Setup: https://y2.dev/docs/api/create-key.

- x402: Pay per request without an account or API key. Omit Authorization, read the HTTP 402 PAYMENT-REQUIRED challenge, validate its current requirements, and retry with PAYMENT-SIGNATURE through an authorized payment client. These browser tools never make payments. Guide: https://y2.dev/docs/api/x402.

- OpenAPI: https://y2.dev/api/openapi.yaml. Agent access metadata: https://y2.dev/cve/agent.json.

Collected public records only. Check source status for coverage and freshness.