CVE-2023-53385
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a resource leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's media subsystem. When the of_find_device_by_node function fails to properly release device objects, it can lead to memory exhaustion over time. This affects any Linux system using the mdp3 media driver.
💻 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Sustained exploitation could lead to kernel memory exhaustion, causing system instability, denial of service, or potential kernel crashes.
Likely Case
Gradual memory leak leading to degraded system performance over time, potentially requiring system reboots to restore normal operation.
If Mitigated
With proper memory monitoring and regular patching, impact is limited to occasional performance degradation that can be managed through maintenance.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires triggering the vulnerable code path in the mdp3 driver, which may require specific hardware or driver configuration.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions containing commits 35ca8ce495366909b4c2e701d1356570dd40c4e2, 8ba9d91c8f21f070af2049f114c206a8f2d5c71e, or fa481125bc4ca8edc1a4c62fe53486ac9a817593
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/35ca8ce495366909b4c2e701d1356570dd40c4e2
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify mdp3 driver is not leaking resources.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable mdp3 driver
LinuxPrevent loading of vulnerable driver module
echo 'blacklist mdp3' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod mdp3
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Monitor system memory usage for unusual increases
- Implement regular system reboots to clear accumulated memory leaks
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if mdp3 driver is loaded: lsmod | grep mdp3Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Check kernel version includes fix commits: uname -r and verify against patched versions📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel oom-killer messages
- Increasing memory usage in system logs
- Driver initialization failures
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("out of memory" OR "oom-killer" OR "mdp3")