CVE-2023-53409 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 09/18/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
drivers: base: component: 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 • 12/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-53409 resides within the Linux kernel's driver subsystem, specifically in the component framework implementation. This issue manifests as a memory leak occurring in the debugfs_lookup() function call sequence, representing a critical flaw in resource management that can lead to progressive system degradation over time. The vulnerability affects the kernel's ability to properly release reference-counted debugfs directory entries, creating a persistent memory consumption problem that accumulates with each invocation of the affected code path.
The technical root cause stems from improper reference counting management within the debugfs subsystem where debugfs_lookup() returns a reference to a debugfs directory entry that must be explicitly released using dput(). When this cleanup operation is omitted, the reference count remains elevated, preventing the kernel from reclaiming the associated memory resources. This memory leak represents a classic case of resource management failure that violates fundamental kernel programming practices and can ultimately lead to system memory exhaustion. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-404, which specifically addresses improper resource management, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1490 for resource exhaustion attacks that can be leveraged to cause system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory consumption, as it can lead to progressive system performance degradation and potential system crashes when memory resources become constrained. Attackers could potentially exploit this memory leak by repeatedly invoking the affected code paths, causing the system to gradually consume available memory until critical system functions begin to fail. The vulnerability affects systems running Linux kernel versions where the component framework is utilized, particularly those implementing debugfs functionality for driver debugging and monitoring purposes. Systems that rely heavily on driver component management and debugfs operations would be most susceptible to this issue, as the memory leak accumulates with each use of the debugfs_lookup() function.
The fix implemented for CVE-2023-53409 addresses the vulnerability by replacing the problematic debugfs_lookup() call with debugfs_lookup_and_remove(), which provides a more robust solution that handles all necessary cleanup operations internally. This approach eliminates the possibility of forgetting to call dput() by consolidating the lookup and cleanup logic into a single atomic operation. The recommended mitigation strategy involves updating to the patched kernel version that includes this fix, as the solution fundamentally changes how the debugfs operations are handled. System administrators should prioritize applying this patch across all affected systems, particularly those running kernel versions prior to the fix release. The mitigation approach aligns with the principle of least privilege and proper resource management, ensuring that all kernel subsystems properly release resources when they are no longer needed, thereby maintaining system stability and preventing potential denial-of-service conditions that could arise from uncontrolled memory consumption.