CVE-2023-53385 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 09/18/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
media: mdp3: Fix resource leaks in of_find_device_by_node
Use put_device to release the object get through of_find_device_by_node, avoiding resource leaks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-53385 resides within the Linux kernel's media subsystem, specifically affecting the mdp3 driver component. This issue represents a resource management flaw that occurs during device node lookups within the device tree framework. The mdp3 driver is responsible for handling multimedia display processing on certain embedded systems and mobile platforms where device tree configuration is prevalent. The vulnerability manifests when the of_find_device_by_node function is invoked to locate device nodes within the device tree structure, which is a common operation in kernel space for hardware abstraction and device management.
The technical flaw stems from improper device reference counting and resource cleanup within the mdp3 driver's implementation. When of_find_device_by_node is called to retrieve a device object from a device tree node, the function returns a reference to a device structure that must be explicitly released using put_device. The vulnerability occurs because the code fails to invoke put_device on the retrieved device object, creating a reference leak that prevents the kernel from properly releasing memory and other resources associated with the device. This pattern violates fundamental kernel memory management principles and creates a persistent resource consumption issue that can accumulate over time.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory consumption, potentially leading to system instability and performance degradation in embedded systems running Linux kernels with affected mdp3 drivers. Resource leaks of this nature can cause progressive memory exhaustion, particularly in systems with limited memory resources or those operating under high device enumeration loads. The vulnerability affects systems where the mdp3 driver is actively used for multimedia processing, which includes various smartphones, tablets, and embedded devices that utilize device tree-based hardware configuration. Such systems may experience degraded performance, application crashes, or even complete system hangs as the resource leak accumulates and exhausts available system resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-53385 focus on implementing proper device reference management within the mdp3 driver code. The fix requires ensuring that every call to of_find_device_by_node is paired with a corresponding put_device call to properly release the device reference. This remediation aligns with standard kernel development practices and security guidelines that emphasize proper resource management and reference counting. The fix should be applied through kernel updates that include the corrected driver implementation, typically following the established kernel security patching procedures. Organizations should prioritize updating their systems to versions containing the patched mdp3 driver, particularly those running embedded Linux systems where resource constraints make such leaks more problematic. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of adhering to kernel development best practices for resource management and proper device reference handling, which are fundamental requirements for maintaining system stability and security in embedded environments.
This vulnerability type corresponds to CWE-404, which specifically addresses improper resource management or resource leaks in software systems. The issue also relates to ATT&CK technique T1547.001, which involves the exploitation of system resource management flaws to maintain persistence or escalate privileges. The fix demonstrates the critical nature of proper reference counting and resource cleanup in kernel space, where improper management can lead to cascading failures that affect system integrity and availability.