CVE-2023-53014 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 03/27/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
dmaengine: tegra: Fix memory leak in terminate_all()
Terminate vdesc when terminating an ongoing transfer. This will ensure that the vdesc is present in the desc_terminated list The descriptor will be freed later in desc_free_list().
This fixes the memory leaks which can happen when terminating an ongoing transfer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2023-53014 addresses a critical memory management issue within the Linux kernel's dmaengine subsystem, specifically affecting the Tegra DMA engine implementation. This flaw represents a classic memory leak scenario that can lead to progressive resource exhaustion and system instability over time. The vulnerability manifests when the terminate_all() function is invoked during ongoing DMA transfers, creating a situation where virtual descriptor structures remain allocated in memory without proper cleanup. The root cause lies in the improper handling of virtual descriptor (vdesc) objects during the termination process, where these descriptors are not correctly moved to the desc_terminated list for subsequent cleanup.
The technical flaw stems from the incomplete implementation of the DMA engine's termination logic within the Tegra-specific driver component. When terminate_all() is called, it should ensure that all active virtual descriptors associated with ongoing transfers are properly accounted for and scheduled for deallocation. However, the previous implementation failed to move these descriptors to the designated terminated list, leaving them in an intermediate state where they remain allocated but are no longer actively used. This creates a memory leak pattern where each invocation of terminate_all() on active transfers results in the accumulation of unreclaimed virtual descriptor structures. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-401, which describes memory leaks in software systems, and specifically aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1490 for resource exhaustion attacks that can be leveraged through memory management flaws.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory consumption issues to potentially compromise system stability and performance. In systems with frequent DMA transfer termination operations, particularly those involving high-frequency data processing or real-time applications, the accumulation of leaked virtual descriptors can lead to progressive memory fragmentation and eventual system resource exhaustion. This degradation can manifest as reduced system responsiveness, application crashes, or even complete system hangs depending on the severity of memory pressure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in embedded systems or automotive applications where the Tegra DMA engine is heavily utilized for multimedia processing, sensor data handling, or communication protocol implementations. Attackers could potentially exploit this memory leak to perform resource exhaustion attacks that degrade system performance or create denial-of-service conditions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-53014 focus on the immediate application of the kernel patch that correctly implements the virtual descriptor cleanup mechanism. System administrators should prioritize updating their Linux kernel versions to include the fixed implementation, which ensures that virtual descriptors are properly moved to the desc_terminated list during termination operations. The fix operates at the kernel level and requires no configuration changes or user intervention once applied. Organizations should implement regular kernel update schedules and vulnerability monitoring to prevent similar issues from accumulating. The solution addresses the root cause by ensuring proper linkage of virtual descriptors to the termination list, allowing the desc_free_list() function to properly reclaim the memory resources at the appropriate time. This remediation aligns with security best practices for kernel maintenance and demonstrates the importance of thorough testing for resource management functions in critical system components. The fix also emphasizes proper software engineering principles around resource lifecycle management and the importance of maintaining proper data structure consistency during error handling and termination scenarios.