CVE-2023-53648
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's AC97 audio driver. If exploited, it could cause a kernel panic leading to denial of service. Systems running vulnerable Linux kernel versions with AC97 audio hardware are affected.
💻 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 →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 and denial of service, potentially requiring physical reboot.
Likely Case
System instability or crash when AC97 audio operations are performed, requiring reboot to restore functionality.
If Mitigated
No impact if patched or if AC97 audio hardware is not present/used.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires ability to trigger AC97 mixer operations; likely requires local access or specific audio operations.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Patches available in stable kernel trees (commits listed in references)
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/09baf460dfba79ee6a0c72e68ccdbbba84d894df
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from official kernel.org or distribution repositories. 2. Rebuild kernel if compiling from source. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable AC97 audio support
LinuxRemove or disable AC97 audio driver/module to prevent vulnerable code from being loaded
modprobe -r snd-ac97-codec
echo 'blacklist snd-ac97-codec' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to systems with AC97 hardware
- Monitor system logs for kernel panic/segfault events related to audio operations
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and if AC97 module is loaded: lsmod | grep snd_ac97_codec && uname -rCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is updated and AC97 module loads without issues during audio operations📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- NULL pointer dereference errors in kernel logs
- Audio subsystem crashes
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("NULL pointer dereference" OR "kernel panic" OR "AC97")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/09baf460dfba79ee6a0c72e68ccdbbba84d894df
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/228da1fa124470606ac19783e551f9d51a1e01b0
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/300e26e3e64880de5013eac8831cf44387ef752c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5f13d67027fa782096e6aee0db5dce61c4aeb613
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/79597c8bf64ca99eab385115743131d260339da5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/809af7bb4219bdeef0dbb8b2ed700d6516d13fe9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d28b83252e150155b8b8c65b612c555e93c8b45f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e4cccff1e7ab6ea30995b6fbbb007d02647e025c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f923a582217b198b557756809ffe42ac0fad6adb
