CVE-2023-53567
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's SPI QUP driver where DMA resources are not properly released during error handling in the driver's remove callback. This affects Linux systems using the Qualcomm Universal Peripheral (QUP) SPI controller. The vulnerability could lead to resource exhaustion over time.
💻 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
Continuous resource leakage could lead to kernel memory exhaustion, causing system instability, denial of service, or potential privilege escalation if combined with other vulnerabilities.
Likely Case
Gradual memory/resource leakage during driver removal operations, potentially causing system performance degradation or instability over time.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact with proper monitoring and system maintenance; resource leakage would be limited to specific driver removal scenarios.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires triggering specific error conditions during driver removal, making it difficult to weaponize. No public exploits known.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions containing fixes from the provided git commits
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2d0f63077f481f11a07f20eab1c1f4367dfaef32
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update to a patched kernel version from your distribution vendor. 2. Apply the specific kernel patch if building from source. 3. Reboot the system to load the patched kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Avoid driver removal operations
linuxPrevent triggering the vulnerable code path by avoiding SPI QUP driver removal operations
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Monitor system memory usage and kernel logs for signs of resource leakage
- Restrict access to systems with Qualcomm hardware to prevent malicious triggering of driver operations
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and verify if it contains the vulnerable code from the git commits. Use: uname -r and compare with distribution security advisories.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is updated to a version containing the fix commits. Check distribution security updates are applied.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel logs showing SPI QUP driver errors or warnings during removal operations
- System logs indicating memory pressure or allocation failures
SIEM Query:
Search for kernel logs containing 'spi-qup' error messages or memory allocation failures in system logs🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2d0f63077f481f11a07f20eab1c1f4367dfaef32
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/49c17fccae36505550c9121891722fff337f148a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/55ecdcd12bc176b86fecbcb125ac814ac8fe857a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/61f49171a43ab1f80c73c5c88c508770c461e0f2
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8632384337038b97910c2f7bb5a3f377aa68d001
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/bc88243bbe6140d289bb32b4ee4607ba5ce1124a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f345d4d71e87d878437417ffbb9a7d4e16d235eb
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fd53f41bd86daa39b454fd4637a908ff2123547f
