CVE-2023-52690 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 05/17/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
powerpc/powernv: Add a null pointer check to scom_debug_init_one()
kasprintf() returns a pointer to dynamically allocated memory which can be NULL upon failure. Add a null pointer check, and release 'ent' to avoid memory leaks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-52690 resides within the Linux kernel's PowerPC architecture implementation, specifically affecting the powernv subsystem responsible for handling system configuration operations. This issue manifests in the scom_debug_init_one() function where improper error handling could lead to system instability and potential memory corruption. The vulnerability impacts systems utilizing PowerPC processors with powernv platform support, particularly those running kernel versions containing the affected code path. The flaw represents a classic memory management issue that can be exploited to cause denial of service conditions or potentially escalate privileges depending on the system configuration and attack surface.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from the improper handling of memory allocation failures within the scom_debug_init_one() function. The kasprintf() function, which dynamically allocates memory for string formatting operations, can return a NULL pointer when memory allocation fails. The original code failed to validate this return value before proceeding with operations that assume a valid pointer. This null pointer dereference scenario occurs when the code attempts to use the returned pointer without first checking if allocation succeeded. The function also fails to properly clean up allocated resources, specifically the 'ent' variable, leading to memory leaks that can accumulate over time and potentially cause system resource exhaustion. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-476 category for null pointer dereference and CWE-772 for missing resource deallocation, representing common patterns in kernel memory management errors.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-52690 extends beyond simple system instability to potentially compromise system availability and integrity within PowerPC-based environments. When the memory allocation fails and the null pointer is not properly handled, the system may experience kernel oops, system crashes, or reboot cycles that disrupt normal operations. In production environments running critical infrastructure on PowerPC platforms, this vulnerability could lead to extended downtime and service disruption. The memory leak aspect compounds the issue by gradually consuming system resources, potentially leading to performance degradation or complete system unresponsiveness under sustained load conditions. The vulnerability affects systems using the powernv platform which includes IBM Power Systems and other PowerPC-based servers commonly deployed in enterprise data centers and high-performance computing environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-52690 focus on implementing proper null pointer validation and resource management within the affected kernel code. The primary fix involves adding a null pointer check immediately after the kasprintf() call to verify successful memory allocation before proceeding with subsequent operations. Additionally, the code must ensure proper cleanup of allocated resources by releasing the 'ent' variable when allocation fails, preventing memory leaks from accumulating. System administrators should prioritize applying kernel updates that contain the patched implementation, as this vulnerability requires kernel-level fixes rather than user-space workarounds. Organizations running PowerPC-based systems should also implement monitoring for system stability indicators and resource usage patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. The fix aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 for local privilege escalation and T1499 for endpoint denial of service, making it a critical vulnerability requiring immediate attention in enterprise security posture assessments.