CVE-2023-53237 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 09/15/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
drm/amdgpu: fix amdgpu_irq_put call trace in gmc_v11_0_hw_fini
The gmc.ecc_irq is enabled by firmware per IFWI setting, and the host driver is not privileged to enable/disable the interrupt. So, it is meaningless to use the amdgpu_irq_put function in gmc_v11_0_hw_fini, which also leads to the call trace.
[ 102.980303] Call Trace:
[ 102.980303] <TASK>
[ 102.980304] gmc_v11_0_hw_fini+0x54/0x90 [amdgpu]
[ 102.980357] gmc_v11_0_suspend+0xe/0x20 [amdgpu]
[ 102.980409] amdgpu_device_ip_suspend_phase2+0x240/0x460 [amdgpu]
[ 102.980459] amdgpu_device_ip_suspend+0x3d/0x80 [amdgpu]
[ 102.980520] amdgpu_device_pre_asic_reset+0xd9/0x490 [amdgpu]
[ 102.980573] amdgpu_device_gpu_recover.cold+0x548/0xce6 [amdgpu]
[ 102.980687] amdgpu_debugfs_reset_work+0x4c/0x70 [amdgpu]
[ 102.980740] process_one_work+0x21f/0x3f0
[ 102.980741] worker_thread+0x200/0x3e0
[ 102.980742] ? process_one_work+0x3f0/0x3f0
[ 102.980743] kthread+0xfd/0x130
[ 102.980743] ? kthread_complete_and_exit+0x20/0x20
[ 102.980744] ret_from_fork+0x22/0x30
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-53237 resides within the Linux kernel's amdgpu driver, specifically in the graphics memory controller version 11.0 hardware finalization function. This issue manifests when the driver attempts to execute an amdgpu_irq_put function call during the gmc_v11_0_hw_fini process, which represents a critical flaw in interrupt management for AMD GPU devices. The root cause stems from the driver's incorrect assumption that it possesses the necessary privileges to manage interrupts that are actually controlled by firmware through IFWI (Intel Firmware Interface) settings. This misalignment between driver expectations and actual system permissions creates a scenario where the kernel attempts to perform operations it cannot legally execute, leading to system instability and potential denial of service conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a clear violation of privilege separation principles within the kernel's device management architecture. The gmc.ecc_irq (error correction code interrupt) is configured and controlled entirely by firmware components, yet the amdgpu driver attempts to manage this interrupt through the amdgpu_irq_put function during hardware finalization. This creates a call trace that ultimately originates from the gpu recovery mechanism, indicating that the system attempts to handle GPU reset operations through an invalid interrupt management path. The call trace shows the execution flow moving through multiple kernel subsystems including device suspension phases, ASIC reset procedures, and debugfs reset work handlers, demonstrating how this single flawed function call can propagate through the entire GPU driver stack and potentially compromise system stability during critical operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple functional failure to encompass broader system reliability concerns and potential security implications. When the kernel attempts to execute amdgpu_irq_put on an interrupt that firmware controls, it generates a call trace that indicates a fundamental mismatch between driver capabilities and system permissions. This situation can lead to kernel panics, system crashes, or more subtle issues where the GPU functionality becomes degraded or completely non-functional. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where GPU reset operations are frequently triggered, such as during system maintenance, driver updates, or error recovery scenarios, as these situations amplify the likelihood of encountering the problematic code path.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability focus on correcting the interrupt management logic within the amdgpu driver to properly respect firmware-controlled interrupt settings. The fix requires modifying the gmc_v11_0_hw_fini function to eliminate the amdgpu_irq_put call when dealing with firmware-controlled interrupts, ensuring that the driver only attempts operations it is authorized to perform. This aligns with security best practices outlined in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, specifically addressing CWE-362: Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization, and CWE-284: Improper Access Control, as the vulnerability represents improper privilege management within kernel space. Organizations should prioritize applying the patched kernel version that resolves this specific issue, while also implementing monitoring for system crashes or unexpected GPU behavior that might indicate this vulnerability is being exploited. The fix demonstrates proper adherence to the principle of least privilege and proper resource management as recommended by the MITRE ATT&CK framework's system hardening principles, ensuring that kernel drivers maintain appropriate boundaries and do not attempt operations outside their designated authority.