Vulnerability in Linux kernel (CVE-2023-53531)
Summary
Vulnerability in Linux kernel (CVE-2023-53531). Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover.
Original description
The description as published by the source.
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
null_blk: fix poll request timeout handling
When doing io_uring benchmark on /dev/nullb0, it's easy to crash the
kernel if poll requests timeout triggered, as reported by David. [1]
BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000008
Workqueue: kblockd blk_mq_timeout_work
RIP: 0010:null_timeout_rq+0x4e/0x91
Call Trace:
? null_timeout_rq+0x4e/0x91
blk_mq_handle_expired+0x31/0x4b
bt_iter+0x68/0x84
? bt_tags_iter+0x81/0x81
__sbitmap_for_each_set.constprop.0+0xb0/0xf2
? __blk_mq_complete_request_remote+0xf/0xf
bt_for_each+0x46/0x64
? __blk_mq_complete_request_remote+0xf/0xf
? percpu_ref_get_many+0xc/0x2a
blk_mq_queue_tag_busy_iter+0x14d/0x18e
blk_mq_timeout_work+0x95/0x127
process_one_work+0x185/0x263
worker_thread+0x1b5/0x227
This is indeed a race problem between null_timeout_rq() and null_poll().
null_poll() null_timeout_rq()
spin_lock(&nq->poll_lock)
list_splice_init(&nq->poll_list, &list)
spin_unlock(&nq->poll_lock)
while (!list_empty(&list))
req = list_first_entry()
list_del_init()
...
blk_mq_add_to_batch()
// req->rq_next = NULL
spin_lock(&nq->poll_lock)
// rq->queuelist->next == NULL
list_del_init(&rq->queuelist)
spin_unlock(&nq->poll_lock)
Fix these problems by setting requests state to MQ_RQ_COMPLETE under
nq->poll_lock protection, in which null_timeout_rq() can safely detect
this race and early return.
Note this patch…
Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database NVD
Auto-generated summary
Assembled by SecPulse from the source data (CVSS, CWE, affected versions) using templates — no AI involved. Check the original description and references below for exact details.
A vulnerability tracked as CVE-2023-53531 has been found in Linux kernel.
Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover. CVSS score: 7.8/10.
What to do: apply the vendor's official patched release.
If unsure, ask your IT team or search "Linux kernel CVE-2023-53531" on the vendor's site.
CVE-2023-53531 (Linux kernel) — CWE-476 / CVSS v3 7.8
Attack vector: local / no user interaction
Plan: 1) Audit SBOM/dependencies, 2) Stage→prod upgrade, 3) Add WAF/proxy monitoring on affected endpoints, 4) Hunt IOCs in logs.
Refs: see the GHSA / vendor advisory / patched release linked on this page.
A vulnerability (CWE-476) exists in Linux kernel.
Check the vendor advisory for the affected versions of Linux kernel.
Severity: High (CVSS 7.8/10). Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover.
Update to the patched release per vendor advisory.
Until the patch is applied: disable the affected feature, apply WAF rules, or restrict access via network ACLs.
Search webserver/proxy logs for unusual request patterns matching this CVE's known IOCs. Audit SBOM/dependencies to find affected services.
Response actions
Concrete steps and command examples for SOC/SRE teams to execute in order
-
1Identify exposure identify
Audit SBOM/dependencies for affected components.資産台帳・SBOM・依存マニフェストで Linux kernel を使っているサービスとバージョンを洗い出す。
-
2Post-deployment verification verify
Confirm patched version is live in productionパッチ適用後、ステージングで PoC または同等の悪用パターンを再現して脆弱性が閉じたことを確認。本番ではアクセスログ・WAF でアラート再発が無いか継続監視。
Affected packages
Fix status by distribution
Fixed packages published by each distribution for this CVE
- Debian DEBIAN-CVE-2023-53531 linux Fixed in: 6.1.55-1
- Ubuntu UBUNTU-CVE-2023-53531 linux-hwe-edge
References
- advisory github.com
- advisory nvd.nist.gov
- package git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org