CVE-2023-53519
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a race condition vulnerability in the Linux kernel's V4L2 memory-to-memory framework where concurrent access to the num_rdy parameter without proper locking can cause data corruption. It affects systems using V4L2 video processing functionality, primarily Linux-based devices with multimedia capabilities. The vulnerability could lead to system instability or crashes.
💻 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 →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 panic or system crash leading to denial of service, potentially causing data loss in active video processing applications.
Likely Case
System instability, application crashes, or corrupted video output in multimedia applications using V4L2 m2m framework.
If Mitigated
Minor performance impact or occasional application errors if race condition triggers infrequently.
🎯 Exploit Status
Discovered through KCSAN (Kernel Concurrency Sanitizer) testing. Exploitation requires access to V4L2 m2m functionality and ability to trigger concurrent operations.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Multiple stable kernel versions with fixes (see reference commits)
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1676748aa29099fc0abd71e0fb092e76e835f25c
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version. 2. Check distribution-specific security advisories. 3. Reboot system after kernel update. 4. Verify kernel version matches patched release.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable V4L2 m2m functionality
linuxRemove or disable kernel modules using V4L2 memory-to-memory framework if not required.
modprobe -r [v4l2_m2m_module]
blacklist relevant modules in /etc/modprobe.d/
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict access to video devices and V4L2 functionality to trusted users only.
- Monitor system logs for kernel panics or application crashes related to video processing.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and compare with patched releases. Examine if V4L2 m2m modules are loaded: lsmod | grep v4l2Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is updated to include one of the fix commits. Check system stability during video processing operations.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- KCSAN error reports
- Application crashes in video processing software
- dmesg errors mentioning v4l2_m2m
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "KCSAN" OR "v4l2_m2m")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1676748aa29099fc0abd71e0fb092e76e835f25c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/56b5c3e67b0f9af3f45cf393be048ee8d8a92694
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/690dd4780b3f4d755e4e7883e8c3d1b5052f6bf2
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7fc7f87725805197388ba749a1801df33000fa50
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c71aa5f1cf961264690f2560503ea396b6e3c680
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e01ea1c4191ee08440b5f86db98dff695e9cedf9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e52de26cb37459b16213438a2c82feb155dd3bbd
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ef009fe2010ea2a3a7045ecb72729cf366e0967b
