CVE-2023-53448 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 10/01/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
fbdev: imxfb: Removed unneeded release_mem_region
Remove unnecessary release_mem_region from the error path to prevent mem region from being released twice, which could avoid resource leak or other unexpected issues.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-53448 resides within the Linux kernel's framebuffer device driver, specifically in the imxfb driver responsible for handling i.MX framebuffer hardware. This issue represents a classic resource management flaw that can lead to system instability and potential security implications. The imxfb driver is part of the broader framebuffer subsystem that manages display output on embedded systems and industrial hardware platforms. The vulnerability manifests in the driver's error handling path where memory region management becomes problematic due to improper resource cleanup procedures.
The technical flaw occurs when the imxfb driver encounters an error during initialization or operation. The driver contains redundant code that attempts to release the same memory region twice through the release_mem_region function call. This double release occurs in the error path where the driver attempts to clean up resources after a failure condition. The original implementation included both a direct release_mem_region call and an implicit release through the platform driver framework, resulting in the same memory region being marked as free twice. This condition violates fundamental resource management principles and can lead to memory corruption or unexpected behavior in the system's memory management subsystem.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple resource leakage, potentially creating conditions where subsequent memory allocation requests might fail or corrupt memory structures. When a memory region is released twice, the kernel's memory management subsystem may become confused about the actual state of that memory area, leading to unpredictable behavior in the display subsystem or even broader system instability. The vulnerability affects embedded systems and industrial computing platforms that rely on the i.MX SoC family for display functionality, particularly those using framebuffer devices for user interfaces or embedded display applications. This type of memory management error can be exploited by malicious actors to cause denial of service conditions or potentially escalate privileges through memory corruption attacks.
The fix implemented addresses this issue by removing the unnecessary release_mem_region call from the error handling path, ensuring that each memory region is released exactly once. This remediation aligns with the principle of least privilege and proper resource management as outlined in secure coding practices and standards such as those referenced in CWE-459, which deals with incomplete cleanup of resources. The solution follows established best practices for kernel development and memory management, preventing the double-free condition that could lead to system crashes or exploitable conditions. This fix demonstrates the importance of careful error path management in kernel code, where improper resource handling can create security vulnerabilities that extend far beyond the immediate component affected. The resolution maintains the driver's functionality while eliminating the potential for resource management conflicts that could compromise system integrity or availability.
This vulnerability type relates to the broader category of improper resource management in kernel space code, which can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 related to Network Denial of Service and T1068 related to Exploitation for Privilege Escalation. The fix represents a fundamental correction in kernel memory management practices that ensures proper resource lifecycle handling. The remediation addresses a critical issue in embedded systems where resource constraints and memory management stability are paramount for reliable operation. This type of vulnerability highlights the importance of thorough code review processes, particularly for kernel drivers where errors can have severe system-wide consequences. The solution maintains backward compatibility while strengthening the driver's robustness against resource management issues that could arise during error conditions or system stress scenarios.