CVE-2023-53152
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a memory management vulnerability in the AMDGPU driver for Linux kernels where buffer objects (BOs) allocated for the Platform Security Processor (PSP) are not properly freed during driver removal. This causes a kernel warning call trace but does not allow arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability affects Linux systems with AMD graphics hardware using specific kernel versions.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with AMDGPU driver
📦 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Kernel panic or system instability during driver removal, potentially causing system crashes or denial of service.
Likely Case
Kernel warning messages in system logs during driver removal or system shutdown, with no direct security compromise.
If Mitigated
Minor system log noise with no functional impact if proper kernel patches are applied.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and specific conditions to trigger the driver removal scenario. This is primarily a stability issue rather than a security vulnerability.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions with commits 01382501509871d0799bab6bd412c228486af5bf, 756d674117f5c451f415d1c4046b927052a90c14, or ab6f446c220db0c131f2071846afd835799be0fb
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/01382501509871d0799bab6bd412c228486af5bf
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. For distributions: Use package manager to update kernel package. 3. For custom kernels: Apply the relevant git commits and rebuild kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Avoid driver removal operations
allPrevent triggering the vulnerability by avoiding amdgpu driver removal operations
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Monitor system logs for call trace warnings related to amddrm_buddy_fini
- Avoid removing or reloading the amdgpu driver module
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and if amdgpu module is loaded. Vulnerable if using affected kernel version with AMD graphics.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Check kernel version includes the fix commits or is newer than the patched versions. Verify no call trace warnings appear in dmesg during driver operations.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel call trace warnings containing 'amddrm_buddy_fini' in dmesg or system logs
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local kernel issue
SIEM Query:
search 'amddrm_buddy_fini' in kernel logs