CVE-2023-53510
📋 TL;DR
A double-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's UFS (Universal Flash Storage) driver allows local attackers to cause a kernel panic or potentially execute arbitrary code. This affects systems using UFS storage with the vulnerable kernel driver. Attackers need local access to exploit this vulnerability.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with UFS 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Kernel panic leading to system crash or potential privilege escalation to kernel mode execution
Likely Case
System crash or denial of service through kernel panic
If Mitigated
No impact if patched or UFS storage not used
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and ability to trigger SCSI command timeouts. No public exploits known.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel commits 49234a401e161a2f2698f4612ab792c49b3cad1b, 549e91a9bbaa0ee480f59357868421a61d369770, f3ee24af62681b942bbd799ac77b90a6d7e1fdb1
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/49234a401e161a2f2698f4612ab792c49b3cad1b
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing fixes. 2. Reboot system. 3. Check kernel version to confirm update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable UFS module
linuxPrevent loading of vulnerable UFS driver if not needed
echo 'blacklist ufshcd' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod ufshcd
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to prevent exploitation
- Monitor for kernel panic events and investigate root causes
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if UFS module is loaded: lsmod | grep ufshcd AND check kernel version against patched versionsCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version includes fix commits AND test UFS functionality remains working📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- WARNING: at drivers/ufs/core/ufshcd.c:2965
- UFS command timeout errors
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "ufshcd" OR "UFS error")