CVE-2023-53045 – A race condition vulnerability in the Linux ker... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2023-53045?

CVE-2023-53045 has a CVSS score of 5.5 (MEDIUM). A race condition vulnerability in the Linux kernel's USB audio gadget driver allows userspace processes to block driver unbind operations indefinitely. This can cause system deadlocks during reboot or driver removal, affecting systems using USB audio gadget functionality. The vulnerability requires local access to exploit.

📋 TL;DR

A race condition vulnerability in the Linux kernel's USB audio gadget driver allows userspace processes to block driver unbind operations indefinitely. This can cause system deadlocks during reboot or driver removal, affecting systems using USB audio gadget functionality. The vulnerability requires local access to exploit.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel

Versions: Kernel versions with USB audio gadget support before the fix commits

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using affected kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ✅ No

Notes: Only vulnerable when USB audio gadget functionality (f_uac1 or f_uac2) is enabled and in use.

📦 What is this software?

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

System deadlock during reboot or driver removal, requiring hard reset and potentially causing data loss or service disruption.

🟠

Likely Case

System hangs during USB gadget driver unbind operations, requiring manual intervention to recover.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minor service disruption during USB audio gadget reconfiguration.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local access to exploit, not remotely exploitable.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Local users or processes can cause denial of service on affected systems.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ⚠️ Yes

Weaponized: LIKELY

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: LOW

Exploit demonstrated in CVE description using arecord command. Requires local access and ability to open audio device.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Kernel versions with commits 0eda2004f38d95ef5715d62be884cd344260535b or related stable backports

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0eda2004f38d95ef5715d62be884cd344260535b

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to patched version. 2. Check kernel commit includes snd_card_free_when_closed() fix. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable USB audio gadget

linux

Disable vulnerable USB audio gadget functionality if not required

modprobe -r g_audio
echo 'blacklist g_audio' > /etc/modprobe.d/disable-g_audio.conf

Restrict audio device access

linux

Limit which users can access USB audio gadget devices

chmod 600 /dev/snd/*
setfacl -m u:root:rw- /dev/snd/pcmC*D*

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Disable USB audio gadget functionality completely
Implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized users from opening audio devices

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check if USB audio gadget module is loaded: lsmod | grep g_audio. If loaded and kernel version is unpatched, system is vulnerable.

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Check kernel version includes fix commit: grep -q 'snd_card_free_when_closed' /proc/kallsyms && echo 'Patched' || echo 'Vulnerable'

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel messages about hung tasks during USB unbind
System logs showing reboot hanging
dmesg output with schedule_timeout warnings

Network Indicators:

None - local vulnerability only

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("hung task" OR "blocked for more than" OR "USB audio gadget")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2023-53045

CVSS v3 Score: 5.5 (MEDIUM)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

CWE: CWE-667

EPSS Score: 0.02% exploit probability (4.1th percentile)

Published: May 2, 2025

Last Updated: November 12, 2025

🔗 References

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