CVE-2023-53309
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability is an integer overflow in the Linux kernel's Radeon graphics driver that can cause uninitialized memory to be referenced. Attackers could potentially exploit this to cause kernel crashes or leak sensitive information. Systems using affected Linux kernel versions with Radeon graphics hardware are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with Radeon DRM 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 →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 memory corruption leading to privilege escalation, system crashes, or information disclosure of kernel memory contents.
Likely Case
Kernel panic or system crash causing denial of service, potentially requiring physical access to restart.
If Mitigated
No impact if kernel is patched or Radeon driver is not loaded/used.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access to trigger the vulnerable code path through DRM/radeon system calls. No known public exploits as of analysis.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions containing the fix commits: 25e634d7f44e, 2e1be420b869, b8fab6aebdf2, c0d7dbc6b7a6, cfa9148bafb2
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/25e634d7f44eb13113139040e5366bebe48c882f
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify radeon module loads correctly.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Radeon kernel module
LinuxPrevent loading of vulnerable radeon driver module
echo 'blacklist radeon' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-radeon.conf
update-initramfs -u
reboot
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to systems with Radeon hardware
- Monitor for kernel panic/crash events related to radeon module
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if radeon module is loaded: lsmod | grep radeon. Check kernel version against affected ranges.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version includes fix commits. Test radeon functionality remains working.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- radeon module crash in dmesg
- segmentation faults in kernel logs
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "Oops" OR "segfault") AND "radeon"🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/25e634d7f44eb13113139040e5366bebe48c882f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2e1be420b86980c25a75325e90dfc3fc73126f61
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b8fab6aebdf2115ec2d7bd2f3498d5b911ff351e
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c0d7dbc6b7a61a56028118c00af2c8319d44a682
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cfa9148bafb2d3292b65de1bac79dcca65be2643
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d05ba46134d07e889de7d23cf8503574a22ede09
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e6825b30d37fe89ceb87f926d33d4fad321a331e
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f828b681d0cd566f86351c0b913e6cb6ed8c7b9c
