CVE-2023-53015 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 03/27/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
HID: betop: check shape of output reports
betopff_init() only checks the total sum of the report counts for each report field to be at least 4, but hid_betopff_play() expects 4 report fields. A device advertising an output report with one field and 4 report counts would pass the check but crash the kernel with a NULL pointer dereference in hid_betopff_play().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-53015 represents a critical kernel-level issue within the Linux HID subsystem that stems from inadequate input validation during device initialization. This flaw specifically affects the betopff driver which handles certain HID devices, particularly gaming peripherals that utilize the betop protocol. The vulnerability manifests as a buffer over-read condition that occurs when the kernel attempts to process output reports from HID devices that do not conform to expected formatting patterns. The root cause lies in the inconsistent validation logic between the device initialization phase and the subsequent report processing phase, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited to cause system instability or denial of service.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a mismatch in validation logic within the HID subsystem where the betopff_init() function performs a superficial check on report field counts. This function only verifies that the sum of report counts across all fields equals at least four, without ensuring that the individual fields are properly structured to accommodate the expected number of report fields. However, the hid_betopff_play() function assumes that exactly four report fields will be present and attempts to access them directly without proper bounds checking. When a device advertises an output report with a single field containing four report counts, this configuration passes the initialization check but fails during execution, resulting in a NULL pointer dereference that crashes the kernel.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array index or buffer bounds, and CWE-476, which covers NULL pointer dereference conditions. From an operational security perspective, this issue represents a significant risk to systems running Linux kernels that support HID devices, particularly those in gaming environments or industrial settings where such peripherals are commonly deployed. The impact extends beyond simple system crashes to potentially compromise the stability of critical infrastructure systems that rely on consistent kernel operation. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by connecting malicious HID devices that manipulate report field structures, leading to system-wide denial of service conditions that could affect availability and potentially provide a foothold for more sophisticated attacks.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve updating to patched kernel versions that address the validation inconsistency in the betopff driver implementation. System administrators should prioritize applying security patches from their respective kernel vendors as soon as possible, particularly in environments where HID devices are actively used. Additionally, implementing runtime monitoring for kernel crashes and system instability related to HID subsystem operations can help detect exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and device access controls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures by limiting the ability of untrusted devices to connect to critical systems. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can identify systems running vulnerable kernel versions and monitor for suspicious HID device connections that might indicate exploitation attempts.