CVE-2023-53613 – This is a use-after-free vulnerability in the L... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2023-53613?

CVE-2023-53613 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's DAX (Direct Access) subsystem. It allows local attackers to potentially cause a kernel panic or execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Systems using device-dax memory regions are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's DAX (Direct Access) subsystem. It allows local attackers to potentially cause a kernel panic or execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Systems using device-dax memory regions are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux Kernel

Versions: Kernel versions with DAX support before fixes in stable releases (specific versions vary by distribution)

Operating Systems: Linux distributions with vulnerable kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ✅ No

Notes: Only vulnerable when DAX subsystem is enabled and device-dax regions are configured. Not all Linux systems use DAX features.

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Local privilege escalation to kernel-level access leading to full system compromise, data corruption, or persistent denial of service.

🟠

Likely Case

Kernel panic causing system crash and denial of service, requiring physical or remote console access to reboot.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited to denial of service if exploit fails or system has kernel hardening protections.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local access to the system, not directly exploitable over network.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Local users or compromised accounts could exploit this to escalate privileges or crash systems.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires local access and knowledge of DAX subsystem. Triggering requires removing device-dax region providers.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Fixed in Linux kernel stable releases via commits referenced in CVE

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/03859868ab82d57bfdd0cea1bf31f9319a5dded0

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution vendor. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version after reboot.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable DAX subsystem

linux

Remove DAX kernel module support if not required

modprobe -r dax_hmem
modprobe -r device_dax
echo 'blacklist dax_hmem' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
echo 'blacklist device_dax' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf

Restrict device access

linux

Limit access to device-dax devices to trusted users only

chmod 600 /dev/dax*
chown root:root /dev/dax*

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict local user access to systems with DAX enabled
Implement kernel hardening features like SELinux/AppArmor to limit damage scope

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check if DAX modules are loaded: lsmod | grep -E 'dax|device_dax' and check kernel version against patched releases

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version after update and ensure DAX modules function without triggering the use-after-free condition

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages
DEBUG_KOBJECT_RELEASE warnings
lockdep warnings related to dax_mapping_release

Network Indicators:

None - local vulnerability only

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("DEBUG_KOBJECT_RELEASE" OR "dax_mapping_release" OR "lockdep" AND "WARNING")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2023-53613

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-416

Published: October 4, 2025

Last Updated: February 5, 2026

🤖 AI-assisted analysis, reviewed for accuracy

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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