CVE-2023-53483
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ACPI processor driver. If devm_kzalloc() fails during fch_misc_setup(), clk_data->name remains NULL, causing a kernel panic when accessed. This affects systems running vulnerable Linux kernel versions with ACPI support.
💻 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
Local attacker triggers kernel panic leading to denial of service (system crash), potentially causing data loss or service disruption.
Likely Case
System instability or crash when specific ACPI operations fail, requiring reboot to restore functionality.
If Mitigated
Minor performance impact from proper error handling with no security consequences.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and ability to trigger specific ACPI operations that cause memory allocation failure. Not trivial to exploit reliably.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Patches available in stable kernel trees (see git references in CVE)
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4dea41775d951ff1f7b472a346a8ca3ae7e74455
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update to patched kernel version from your distribution's repositories. 2. Rebuild kernel if compiling from source with patches applied. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable ACPI processor driver module
linuxPrevent loading of vulnerable ACPI processor module (may impact power management features)
echo 'blacklist processor' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
update-initramfs -u
reboot
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to systems where possible
- Monitor system logs for kernel panic events related to ACPI
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and compare with patched versions from distribution vendor. Vulnerable if using unpatched kernel with ACPI support.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version after update matches patched version from vendor. Check that system boots without ACPI-related errors.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- NULL pointer dereference errors in dmesg
- ACPI-related crash reports
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("NULL pointer dereference" OR "kernel panic" OR "ACPI")