CVE-2023-53454 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 10/01/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
HID: multitouch: Correct devm device reference for hidinput input_dev name
Reference the HID device rather than the input device for the devm allocation of the input_dev name. Referencing the input_dev would lead to a use-after-free when the input_dev was unregistered and subsequently fires a uevent that depends on the name. At the point of firing the uevent, the name would be freed by devres management.
Use devm_kasprintf to simplify the logic for allocating memory and formatting the input_dev name string.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2023-53454 represents a critical use-after-free condition within the Linux kernel's HID (Human Interface Device) subsystem, specifically affecting multitouch device handling. This flaw exists in the interaction between the HID driver framework and the input device subsystem, where improper device reference management creates a dangerous race condition during device cleanup operations. The issue manifests when the kernel attempts to manage memory allocation for input device names using devres management functions, leading to potential system instability and security implications.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the incorrect device reference used during the devm (device management) allocation process for HID input device names. When the kernel allocates memory for input device names using devm_kasprintf, it should reference the HID device itself rather than the input device structure. This misreference creates a scenario where the input device name string gets freed prematurely when the input device is unregistered, yet subsequent uevent (udev event) processing still attempts to access this freed memory location. The vulnerability specifically targets the devm device reference mechanism, which is designed to automatically manage device resource cleanup during device lifecycle operations, but fails to maintain proper reference semantics in this particular code path.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes, potentially enabling privilege escalation or denial of service conditions that could be exploited by malicious actors. When the input device is unregistered and subsequently fires a uevent, the system attempts to access memory that has already been freed by the devres management subsystem, creating a use-after-free condition that can lead to memory corruption. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through normal device interaction patterns, making exploitation relatively straightforward. The flaw affects the kernel's ability to properly manage device lifecycle operations, potentially allowing attackers to corrupt kernel memory or cause system crashes that could be leveraged for more severe attacks.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability involves correcting the device reference semantics within the HID driver's devm allocation logic, specifically ensuring that the HID device reference is used instead of the input device reference when allocating memory for device names. This correction aligns with established kernel development practices and security guidelines, particularly those related to proper resource management and device lifecycle handling. The use of devm_kasprintf for memory allocation simplifies the logic while ensuring proper reference management, addressing the core issue without introducing additional complexity. This fix directly relates to CWE-416, which covers use-after-free vulnerabilities, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting local privilege escalation through kernel vulnerabilities. The resolution requires careful attention to kernel subsystem integration and proper resource management practices, emphasizing the importance of maintaining correct reference semantics in device management code and ensuring that devres management functions properly handle the lifecycle of device resources throughout the system's operation.