CVE-2023-53598 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 10/04/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
bus: mhi: host: Range check CHDBOFF and ERDBOFF
If the value read from the CHDBOFF and ERDBOFF registers is outside the range of the MHI register space then an invalid address might be computed which later causes a kernel panic. Range check the read value to prevent a crash due to bad data from the device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/28/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-53598 resides within the Linux kernel's Mobile High-speed Interface MHI (Mobile High-speed Interface) subsystem, specifically affecting the host driver component. This issue manifests in the handling of register offset values during device communication processes, creating a potential pathway for system instability and denial of service conditions. The MHI protocol serves as a critical interface for high-speed data transfer between mobile devices and host systems, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for mobile and embedded computing environments where such interfaces are prevalent.
The technical flaw involves inadequate validation of register offset values read from the CHDBOFF and ERDBOFF registers during the MHI host driver operation. These registers contain offset information that the driver uses to compute memory addresses for device communication. When values read from these registers exceed the valid range of the MHI register space, the driver computes an invalid memory address that subsequently leads to kernel panic conditions. This represents a classic case of improper input validation where the system fails to verify that incoming data falls within expected parameter boundaries before processing. The vulnerability falls under CWE-129 Input Validation and represents a memory safety issue that can be exploited to cause system crashes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability, as it can lead to complete system crashes and service disruption in mobile devices, automotive systems, and embedded platforms that rely on MHI interfaces. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to cause denial of service conditions by manipulating device communications, leading to system unresponsiveness or complete shutdowns. The vulnerability affects systems using the MHI host driver implementation, particularly those in mobile broadband modems, wireless communication devices, and automotive infotainment systems where reliable communication is critical. This issue directly relates to the ATT&CK technique T1499.004 Network Denial of Service and could be leveraged in broader attack chains targeting mobile device reliability and availability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-53598 involve implementing proper range checking mechanisms within the MHI host driver code to validate register offset values before address computation. The fix requires adding bounds validation to ensure that CHDBOFF and ERDBOFF values remain within the legitimate MHI register space boundaries. System administrators should apply the latest kernel updates that include this patch, particularly on devices running Linux kernel versions containing the affected MHI host driver implementation. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect anomalous register access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation in kernel space drivers and reinforces the need for comprehensive testing of device interface implementations to prevent similar issues in other subsystems. This fix aligns with security best practices outlined in the Linux Kernel Security documentation and represents a standard defensive programming approach to prevent memory corruption vulnerabilities.