CVE-2023-53202
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's power management (PM) domains subsystem. When debugfs_lookup() is called without proper cleanup, it causes gradual memory exhaustion over time. This affects all Linux systems with the vulnerable kernel code.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel
📦 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Sustained exploitation could lead to kernel memory exhaustion, causing system instability, crashes, or denial of service through resource depletion.
Likely Case
Gradual memory consumption over time leading to performance degradation and potential system instability requiring reboots.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact with proper monitoring and memory management controls in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and ability to trigger debugfs operations in PM domains subsystem
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions containing commits: 0b6200e1e9f53dabdc30d0f6c51af9a5f664d32b, 543d7113c37206ed7dae7bfb0b7e50955077770e, cde67cb7d2d1757baa83271c1f0892727e79f52e, dddc132eb0dca3969f9146ef8feac0aa542aa305
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0b6200e1e9f53dabdc30d0f6c51af9a5f664d32b
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution's repositories. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version after reboot.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable debugfs for PM domains
allPrevent access to debugfs for power management domains subsystem
umount /sys/kernel/debug
echo 'debugfs /sys/kernel/debug debugfs defaults 0 0' >> /etc/fstab
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to limit who can access debugfs functionality
- Monitor system memory usage and implement automated alerts for abnormal memory consumption patterns
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and compare with distribution's security advisories. Examine if debugfs is mounted and PM domains are active.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version after update matches patched version. Check that debugfs_lookup_and_remove() is used instead of debugfs_lookup() in PM domains code.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel oom-killer messages
- System memory exhaustion warnings
- Process termination due to memory pressure
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("out of memory" OR "oom-killer" OR "memory pressure")