CVE-2023-53003 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 03/27/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
EDAC/qcom: Do not pass llcc_driv_data as edac_device_ctl_info's pvt_info
The memory for llcc_driv_data is allocated by the LLCC driver. But when it is passed as the private driver info to the EDAC core, it will get freed during the qcom_edac driver release. So when the qcom_edac driver gets probed again, it will try to use the freed data leading to the use-after-free bug.
Hence, do not pass llcc_driv_data as pvt_info but rather reference it using the platform_data pointer in the qcom_edac driver.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2023-53003 represents a critical use-after-free condition within the Linux kernel's Error Detection and Correction (EDAC) subsystem, specifically affecting Qualcomm-based systems. This issue manifests in the qcom_edac driver where improper memory management creates a scenario that can lead to system instability and potential security exploitation. The vulnerability stems from incorrect handling of private driver data structures within the EDAC framework, creating a persistent memory management flaw that affects system reliability and security posture.
The technical flaw occurs when the LLCC (Last Level Cache Controller) driver allocates memory for llcc_driv_data structure which is then passed to the EDAC core as private information through the edac_device_ctl_info structure's pvt_info field. This design flaw creates a dependency where the EDAC core assumes responsibility for freeing the allocated memory, while the LLCC driver maintains its own lifecycle management for the same data structure. When the qcom_edac driver undergoes release operations, the memory gets freed by the EDAC core, but subsequent probe operations attempt to access this already freed memory region, resulting in undefined behavior and potential system crashes.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-416, which describes the use of freed memory condition, and represents a classic example of improper resource management in kernel space. The operational impact extends beyond simple system instability as the use-after-free condition creates opportunities for privilege escalation and system compromise. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, especially in environments where the qcom_edac driver is frequently probed and released. The vulnerability affects systems utilizing Qualcomm SoCs that implement EDAC functionality, particularly those with memory subsystems that rely on LLCC controllers.
The mitigation strategy involves modifying the qcom_edac driver to reference the llcc_driv_data structure through the platform_data pointer rather than passing it directly as pvt_info. This approach ensures proper ownership semantics where the LLCC driver maintains control over its allocated memory while still allowing the EDAC driver to access necessary information through proper platform data interfaces. This solution aligns with the ATT&CK framework's defense evasion techniques by preventing memory corruption that could be leveraged for privilege escalation. The fix ensures that memory management responsibilities remain clear and properly scoped, eliminating the race condition that led to the use-after-free vulnerability. System administrators should prioritize applying this kernel patch to prevent potential exploitation and maintain system integrity across Qualcomm-based platforms that utilize EDAC memory error detection capabilities.