CVE-2023-53453
📋 TL;DR
This is a memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Radeon graphics driver where allocated iio memory isn't freed during driver shutdown. This causes kernel memory exhaustion over time, potentially leading to system instability or denial of service. It affects Linux systems using Radeon graphics hardware with the affected kernel versions.
💻 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
Sustained memory exhaustion leading to kernel panic, system crashes, or denial of service requiring physical reboot.
Likely Case
Gradual memory consumption causing system slowdowns, application failures, or eventual system instability after multiple driver reload cycles.
If Mitigated
Minor performance degradation with no security compromise if memory leak is contained within driver lifecycle.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires ability to trigger driver unload/reload cycles. No known remote exploitation vectors.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions containing commits 107b8b542bb9dab4cbdc3276c85fbdd7f6782313 or other listed fixes
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/107b8b542bb9dab4cbdc3276c85fbdd7f6782313
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version matches patched release.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Radeon driver unloading
linuxPrevent driver unload to avoid triggering memory leak
echo 'blacklist radeon' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-radeon.conf
update-initramfs -u
Use different graphics driver
linuxSwitch to alternative graphics driver if available
modprobe -r radeon
modprobe amdgpu # if supported
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Monitor kernel memory usage and restart system if memory exhaustion is detected.
- Limit user access to driver manipulation capabilities through sudo/privilege restrictions.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and if radeon module is loaded: lsmod | grep radeon && uname -rCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is patched and check for memory leaks using kmemleak or similar tools during driver unload cycles.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel oom-killer messages
- System memory exhaustion warnings
- Driver unload/reload events in dmesg
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("Out of memory" OR "oom-killer" OR "radeon: unloading")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/107b8b542bb9dab4cbdc3276c85fbdd7f6782313
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4773fadedca918faec443daaca5e4ea1c0ced144
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9cdb96b55651c92fc949cfd54124406c3c912b6b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cb109cedbba11c33473e6780c256d8442a9e4460
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cda2f7efbc2d857220dad32e315a54565b285c1c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ce9e9d3dcbb0d1551ffd1a7f16e7c051f3ba4140
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e2791f2f4d1d804e45fa91b14295c326b64c65f1
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f9f55fc64928b5e30d78f861c5fc76db9e769ebb
