Memory Leak Vulnerability in Linux Kernel - CVE-2023-53529
Summary
DEBIAN-CVE-2023-53529: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: rtw88: Fix memory leak in rtw88_usb Kmemleak shows the following leak arising from routine in the usb probe routine: unreferenced object 0xffff895... Affects linux versions 5.10.103-1 – 6.9.9-1. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The Linux kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, responsible for managing hardware resources and providing essential services to applications. It supports a wide range of hardware architectures and is known for its stability, performance, and security features. However, vulnerabilities can arise, such as CVE-2023-53529, which affects the kernel's handling of USB devices, specifically in the rtw88 driver for Wi-Fi adapters.
Vulnerability Detail
CVE-2023-53529 is a memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's rtw88 USB driver. This issue occurs during the USB probe routine, where an unreferenced object is allocated memory but not properly freed, leading to a memory leak. The leak can be observed through Kmemleak, which shows that the allocated memory remains unreferenced, potentially causing resource exhaustion over time. The backtrace indicates that the leak originates from the rtw_usb_probe function, which is responsible for initializing the USB interface for the Wi-Fi driver.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
Currently, there are no specific workarounds mentioned for this vulnerability. It is recommended to apply the patch as soon as it becomes available.
Conclusion
CVE-2023-53529 is a significant memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's rtw88 USB driver that requires immediate attention. Users are advised to update their systems to the patched version to mitigate the risk of resource exhaustion and ensure system stability.
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FAQ
CVE-2023-53529 is a memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's rtw88 USB driver, affecting the management of USB devices.
This vulnerability can lead to memory leaks, which may exhaust system resources over time, potentially causing performance degradation or system instability.
The vulnerability affects multiple versions of the Linux kernel across Debian 11, 12, 13, and 14.
You can use tools like Vulert to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without any signup.
While there are no specific workarounds, it is crucial to monitor your system for unusual behavior and apply the update as soon as possible.
References
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