CVE-2023-53012 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 03/27/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
thermal: core: call put_device() only after device_register() fails
put_device() shouldn't be called before a prior call to device_register(). __thermal_cooling_device_register() doesn't follow that properly and needs fixing. Also thermal_cooling_device_destroy_sysfs() is getting called unnecessarily on few error paths.
Fix all this by placing the calls at the right place.
Based on initial work done by Caleb Connolly.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-53012 represents a critical device management flaw within the Linux kernel's thermal subsystem that could potentially lead to resource leaks and system instability. This issue specifically affects the thermal core module responsible for managing temperature regulation across hardware components in computing systems. The vulnerability stems from improper device reference counting and resource management during the registration process of thermal cooling devices, which are essential components for maintaining optimal system temperatures under varying workloads.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper sequence of function calls within the thermal subsystem's device registration logic. The function __thermal_cooling_device_register fails to adhere to established kernel programming practices by invoking put_device() before device_register() has been successfully completed. This violates fundamental resource management principles where device reference counting should only occur after successful registration. Additionally, the thermal_cooling_device_destroy_sysfs() function is being called unnecessarily during error paths, leading to redundant operations and potential resource corruption. The improper sequence creates a scenario where device references may be prematurely released while the device structure remains in an inconsistent state, potentially causing memory leaks or system crashes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple resource leaks to potentially compromise system stability and thermal management functionality. When thermal cooling devices fail to register properly due to this flaw, the system may experience incorrect temperature monitoring or fail to activate cooling mechanisms when required. This could lead to overheating conditions that might cause system crashes, data corruption, or hardware damage. The vulnerability affects systems running Linux kernel versions where the thermal subsystem is active, particularly those with hardware that relies on dynamic thermal management. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to cause denial of service conditions or create persistent instability in embedded systems or servers that depend heavily on thermal regulation.
The fix for CVE-2023-53012 addresses the root cause by repositioning the function calls to follow proper kernel device management protocols. The solution ensures that put_device() is only invoked after device_register() has failed, maintaining proper reference counting semantics. This aligns with established kernel development practices and follows the principle of least privilege in resource management. The patch also eliminates unnecessary calls to thermal_cooling_device_destroy_sysfs() during error paths, reducing system overhead and preventing potential conflicts in device state management. This vulnerability maps to CWE-415: Double Free and CWE-416: Use After Free in the context of device management, and could potentially be leveraged in the context of privilege escalation attacks through resource exhaustion or system instability as described in ATT&CK technique T1499.001: Endpoint Denial of Service.
The remediation approach demonstrates proper kernel development practices that emphasize the importance of maintaining consistent device reference counting and error handling. The fix ensures that device management operations follow the established pattern where device structures are properly initialized and registered before any cleanup operations are performed. This vulnerability highlights the critical nature of proper resource management in kernel space, where even seemingly minor flaws in device registration can have significant system-wide consequences. The solution maintains backward compatibility while ensuring that the thermal subsystem operates reliably under all conditions, including error scenarios where device registration might fail. The patch represents a defensive programming approach that prevents resource leaks and maintains system stability through proper error path management.