CVE-2023-52873 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 05/21/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
clk: mediatek: clk-mt6779: Add check for mtk_alloc_clk_data
Add the check for the return value of mtk_alloc_clk_data() in order to avoid NULL pointer dereference.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-52873 represents a critical null pointer dereference issue within the Linux kernel's clock management subsystem, specifically affecting the MediaTek mt6779 clock driver implementation. This flaw resides in the clk-mt6779 driver component that handles clock domain management for MediaTek SoC platforms, particularly targeting the mt6779 chipset architecture. The vulnerability stems from insufficient error handling in the driver initialization sequence where the return value from the mtk_alloc_clk_data() function is not properly validated before subsequent operations are performed. This oversight creates a condition where the driver continues execution with a null pointer reference, leading to potential system crashes or unauthorized access to kernel memory spaces.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-476 which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference conditions in software implementations. The flaw occurs during the clock data allocation phase where the mtk_alloc_clk_data() function may return NULL under certain error conditions such as memory allocation failures or hardware detection issues. When this null return value is not checked before being used in subsequent operations, it results in a kernel panic or system instability. The vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where error handling mechanisms are insufficient to prevent execution flow continuation when resource allocation fails, creating a pathway for denial of service attacks or potential privilege escalation scenarios.
Operationally, this vulnerability impacts systems running Linux kernels with MediaTek mt6779 SoC implementations, including various mobile devices, embedded systems, and potentially automotive platforms that utilize this chipset. The attack surface is particularly significant for devices that rely on proper clock management for system stability and performance. An attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability to cause system crashes or induce denial of service conditions that would prevent normal device operation. The impact extends beyond simple system instability as it may provide a foothold for more sophisticated attacks, particularly when combined with other kernel vulnerabilities or when targeting systems where clock management is critical for security features such as secure boot processes or hardware security modules.
The remediation for CVE-2023-52873 requires implementing proper error checking mechanisms in the clk-mt6779 driver code to validate the return value of mtk_alloc_clk_data() before proceeding with subsequent operations. This fix aligns with the ATT&CK framework's defensive techniques for kernel-level security, specifically addressing the prevention of null pointer dereferences through proper input validation and error handling. System administrators should prioritize applying the kernel patches that contain this fix, particularly in environments where system stability and availability are critical. The mitigation strategy should also include monitoring for system crashes or unexpected reboots that may indicate exploitation attempts, as well as implementing proper kernel hardening measures such as stack canaries and kernel address space layout randomization to reduce the overall attack surface. Additionally, organizations should maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to monitor for related vulnerabilities that may exploit similar error handling patterns in other kernel subsystems.