CVE-2023-53253 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 09/15/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
HID: nvidia-shield: Reference hid_device devm allocation of input_dev name
Use hid_device for devm allocation of the input_dev name to avoid a use-after-free. input_unregister_device would trigger devres cleanup of all resources associated with the input_dev, free-ing the name. The name would subsequently be used in a uevent fired at the end of unregistering the input_dev.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-53253 resides within the Linux kernel's HID subsystem, specifically affecting the nvidia-shield driver implementation. This issue represents a classic use-after-free condition that can lead to system instability and potential security implications. The flaw manifests in how the driver manages memory allocation for input device names during device registration and unregistration processes. The nvidia-shield driver is responsible for handling input devices from NVIDIA Shield gaming consoles, making this vulnerability particularly relevant for gaming and embedded systems that utilize NVIDIA hardware.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper resource management during the device lifecycle. When the input device is registered and subsequently unregistered, the driver incorrectly handles the memory allocation for the device name field. The system uses devm (device managed) allocation for the hid_device structure but fails to maintain proper reference counting or dependency management for the input_dev name field. During input_unregister_device execution, the device resource cleanup routine frees the name memory before all references to it have been processed, creating a window where subsequent operations might access freed memory. This memory corruption scenario occurs because the name field is freed as part of the devres cleanup process, yet the uevent mechanism still attempts to reference this freed memory location.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes or hangs, potentially enabling privilege escalation or denial of service conditions in affected systems. When the input device is unregistered, the kernel fires a uevent to notify userspace applications about the device removal, but this event processing occurs after the memory has already been freed. The use-after-free condition can result in memory corruption that may be exploited to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Systems running affected kernel versions with NVIDIA Shield input devices are particularly vulnerable, including gaming consoles, embedded systems, and any platform utilizing NVIDIA Shield hardware. The vulnerability affects the broader Linux kernel ecosystem as it demonstrates a pattern of improper device resource management that could potentially exist in other similar drivers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve applying the kernel patch that corrects the resource management pattern by ensuring proper reference handling between the hid_device and input_dev name fields. The fix implements correct dependency management to prevent the premature freeing of memory resources. System administrators should prioritize updating to kernel versions that include the patched code, typically those released after the vulnerability disclosure. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416 which describes use-after-free conditions, and could potentially map to ATT&CK technique T1068 for privilege escalation through kernel exploits. Organizations should monitor kernel security advisories and implement automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security fixes. The mitigation approach emphasizes proper device resource lifecycle management and dependency tracking within the kernel's device management subsystem to prevent similar issues from occurring in other drivers.