CVE-2023-52747 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 05/21/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
IB/hfi1: Restore allocated resources on failed copyout
Fix a resource leak if an error occurs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-52747 resides within the Linux kernel's InfiniBand hardware interface driver known as hfi1. This issue specifically affects the resource management mechanisms within the driver's copyout operations, which are critical for data transfer between kernel space and user space. The hfi1 driver serves as the interface for InfiniBand hardware components, enabling high-performance networking capabilities in enterprise and data center environments. The flaw manifests when the driver fails to properly release allocated system resources during error conditions, creating a persistent resource leak that can degrade system performance over time.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate error handling within the driver's copyout functionality. When the hfi1 driver encounters an error during data transfer operations between kernel and user space, it fails to execute the proper cleanup routines that would normally release previously allocated memory buffers, DMA mappings, or other system resources. This resource leak occurs specifically during the copyout process where kernel data must be transferred to user space applications. The underlying issue represents a classic resource management failure that violates fundamental kernel programming practices and security principles. According to CWE-404, this vulnerability maps to improper resource release or cleanup, which is a well-documented weakness in software security.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-52747 extends beyond simple performance degradation to potentially compromise system stability and availability. As resources accumulate and are not properly released, system memory consumption increases progressively, which can lead to memory exhaustion conditions. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in high-throughput environments where InfiniBand hardware is heavily utilized, as the resource leak compounds over time and may eventually cause system crashes or forced reboots. The vulnerability affects systems running Linux kernels with the hfi1 driver enabled, particularly those implementing InfiniBand networking solutions for high-performance computing clusters, data center interconnects, and enterprise networking infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve applying the official kernel patch that was developed to address the resource leak issue. System administrators should prioritize updating their Linux kernel installations to versions containing the fix, typically found in kernel releases 6.3 and later. The patch implements proper error handling that ensures allocated resources are released even when copyout operations fail, preventing the accumulation of leaked resources. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to track memory usage patterns and resource consumption on systems utilizing InfiniBand hardware, as this can help detect potential exploitation of the vulnerability. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be leveraged by adversaries for resource exhaustion attacks, specifically targeting the privilege escalation and denial of service categories. Regular kernel updates and proper system hardening practices remain essential defenses against such vulnerabilities, as they address the root cause of the resource management failure while maintaining system integrity and operational continuity.