---
id: CVE-2023-6270
title: 'Kernel: aoe: improper reference count leads to use-after-free vulnerability'
summary: >-
  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 stru…
severity: high
cvss: 7
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'
cvssSource: cna
cwe:
  - CWE-416
vendor: Red Hat
product: kernel
affected:
  - kernel
  - kernel
  - kernel-rt
  - kernel
  - kernel-rt
  - kernel
  - kernel-rt
ssvc:
  exploitation: none
  automatable: 'no'
  technicalImpact: partial
  timestamp: '2024-10-22T13:48:09.407937Z'
published: '2024-01-04'
updated: '2026-10-29'
sourceUpdated: '2026-10-29T08:13:42.280Z'
source: CVEORG
sourceUrl: 'https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-6270'
references:
  - url: 'https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2023-6270'
  - url: 'https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2256786'
    label: RHBZ#2256786
tags:
  - cve.org
epss: 0.0041
epssPercentile: 0.35208
ingestedAt: '2026-10-31T04:17:25.422Z'
---

## Overview

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.

## Affected

- `kernel`
- `kernel`
- `kernel-rt`
- `kernel`
- `kernel-rt`
- `kernel`
- `kernel-rt`

## Remediation

Refer to the linked advisories for vendor-supplied fixes and affected version ranges.

### Workarounds

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.