CVE-2023-53404 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 09/18/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
USB: fotg210: fix memory leak with using debugfs_lookup()
When calling debugfs_lookup() the result must have dput() called on it, otherwise the memory will leak over time. To make things simpler, just call debugfs_lookup_and_remove() instead which handles all of the logic at once.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-53404 resides within the Linux kernel's USB subsystem, specifically affecting the fotg210 driver implementation. This issue represents a memory management flaw that occurs during debugging operations within the USB host controller driver. The fotg210 driver is responsible for managing USB 2.0 host controller functionality on certain hardware platforms, making this vulnerability particularly significant for systems relying on USB connectivity and debugging capabilities.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper reference counting management when utilizing the debugfs_lookup() function within the kernel's debugging interface. When debugfs_lookup() is invoked to locate a debugfs entry, the function returns a reference to the debugfs dentry structure that must be explicitly released using the dput() function. Failure to call dput() results in a reference count that remains elevated, preventing the kernel from properly deallocating the memory resources associated with the debugfs entry. This memory leak accumulates over time and can eventually lead to system performance degradation or resource exhaustion.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory consumption issues, as it represents a potential denial of service condition that could affect system stability and reliability. In embedded systems or servers running continuously, the incremental memory leak could eventually consume significant portions of available system memory, leading to system slowdowns, application failures, or complete system crashes. The vulnerability affects systems using the fotg210 USB host controller driver where debugfs functionality is enabled, which is common in development environments and systems requiring detailed debugging capabilities. This issue aligns with CWE-401: Improper Release of Memory and follows patterns commonly seen in kernel memory management bugs that can be exploited to cause resource exhaustion attacks.
The fix implemented for CVE-2023-53404 addresses the issue by replacing the problematic debugfs_lookup() call with debugfs_lookup_and_remove() which encapsulates the complete logic flow including proper resource cleanup. This approach eliminates the possibility of forgetting to call dput() and ensures that all debugging resources are properly managed. The solution follows established kernel development practices for resource management and adheres to the principle of least privilege in kernel operations. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability could be categorized under T1499.004: Endpoint Denial of Service, as it creates a condition that can lead to system resource exhaustion and service disruption. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper reference counting in kernel space operations and highlights the need for thorough code review processes in security-sensitive kernel subsystems. Organizations should prioritize applying this patch to systems running affected kernel versions to prevent potential memory exhaustion scenarios that could impact system availability and overall operational integrity.