CVE-2023-53591
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes an ABBA deadlock vulnerability in the Linux kernel's mlx5e network driver. The deadlock occurs when creating peer flows while holding a specific semaphore, potentially causing system hangs or crashes. This affects systems using Mellanox network adapters with the affected kernel versions.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel mlx5e 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
System deadlock leading to kernel panic, denial of service, and potential data loss or corruption in network operations.
Likely Case
System hangs or crashes when specific network configuration operations are performed, requiring system reboot to recover.
If Mitigated
No impact if patched or if the vulnerable code path is not triggered through network configuration changes.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires specific network configuration operations and timing conditions to trigger the deadlock.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions with commits: 362063df6ceec80b0b6798b61ae03504dcc125a5, 691c041bf20899fc13c793f92ba61ab660fa3a30, 69966bce28da6aadccfd968b75d128a79da32d17, a7236e420a7d8082b1df4b3e05c739dd2642a662
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/362063df6ceec80b0b6798b61ae03504dcc125a5
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version with 'uname -r'.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Avoid peer flow creation
linuxAvoid network configuration operations that create peer flows while the vulnerable code path is active.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Monitor system logs for deadlock warnings and kernel panics
- Restrict network configuration changes to minimize risk of triggering the deadlock
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and if mlx5_core module is loaded: 'uname -r' and 'lsmod | grep mlx5'Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version contains fix commits and check system logs for absence of deadlock warnings📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel deadlock warnings in dmesg or system logs
- Circular locking dependency detected messages
- System hangs during network configuration
Network Indicators:
- Network configuration operations failing
- Unexpected network interface behavior
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND "circular locking" OR "deadlock" AND "mlx5"