CVE-2023-53250
📋 TL;DR
A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's DMI sysfs driver allows local attackers to cause a kernel panic and system crash. This affects Linux systems where the dmi-sysfs module is loaded, typically requiring local access to trigger.
💻 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 →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
Kernel panic leading to complete system crash and denial of service, requiring physical or remote console access to reboot.
Likely Case
Local denial of service through kernel panic when malicious users or processes trigger the vulnerable code path.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if systems are patched or the dmi-sysfs module isn't loaded.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and ability to trigger dmi-sysfs operations. Exploitation leads to denial of service rather than privilege escalation.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions with commits: 18e126e97c961f7a93823795c879d7c085fe5098, 5d0492d1d934642bdfd2057acc1b56f4b57be465, b4fe158259fb5fead52ff2b55841ec5c39492604, e851996b32264e78a10863c2ac41a8689d7b9252
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/18e126e97c961f7a93823795c879d7c085fe5098
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution vendor. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify dmi-sysfs module loads without errors.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Unload dmi-sysfs module
LinuxPrevent loading of vulnerable module to mitigate risk
sudo rmmod dmi_sysfs
echo 'blacklist dmi_sysfs' | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-dmi-sysfs.conf
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to prevent malicious users from triggering the vulnerability
- Monitor system logs for kernel panic events and implement rapid response procedures
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if dmi-sysfs module is loaded: lsmod | grep dmi_sysfs. If loaded and kernel version is unpatched, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Check kernel version against patched versions from distribution vendor. Verify dmi-sysfs module loads without kernel panic.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages mentioning dmi_sysfs_register_handle or dmi_sysfs_entry_release
- KASAN null-ptr-deref errors in kernel logs
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("dmi_sysfs" OR "KASAN: null-ptr-deref")