CVE-2023-53604 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 10/04/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
dm integrity: call kmem_cache_destroy() in dm_integrity_init() error path
Otherwise the journal_io_cache will leak if dm_register_target() fails.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/28/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-53604 resides within the Linux kernel's device mapper integrity subsystem, specifically addressing a memory management issue that occurs during the initialization process of integrity targets. This flaw manifests in the dm_integrity_init() function where proper cleanup operations are not executed when the dm_register_target() function fails, leading to resource leakage that can impact system stability and performance over time.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from an inadequate error handling path within the device mapper integrity module. When the dm_register_target() function encounters an error during the registration process of a device mapper target, the code path fails to invoke kmem_cache_destroy() for the journal_io_cache structure. This omission results in the memory allocated for the journal_io_cache being permanently leaked, as the kernel's memory management system does not automatically reclaim this resource. The flaw represents a classic memory leak pattern where allocated resources are not properly released during error conditions, directly violating proper resource management practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory consumption issues to potentially affect system reliability and performance. As the journal_io_cache memory continues to leak with each failed target registration attempt, the available system memory gradually decreases, which can lead to increased memory pressure and potentially cause system instability or performance degradation. This is particularly concerning in environments where device mapper integrity targets are frequently registered and unregistered, or where system resources are already constrained. The vulnerability also aligns with CWE-401, which specifically addresses improper handling of memory allocation failures and resource leaks in software systems.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically occurs during normal system operations when device mapper integrity targets are being initialized or reconfigured, making it a persistent threat to system stability. Security practitioners should note that this issue represents a denial of service vector that can accumulate over time, potentially leading to system resource exhaustion. The flaw demonstrates a failure in the principle of least privilege and proper resource management, as the kernel fails to maintain consistent memory allocation patterns even during error conditions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-53604 should focus on applying the kernel patches provided by the Linux kernel security team, which correct the error path to ensure proper kmem_cache_destroy() invocation. System administrators should prioritize updating their kernel versions to include the fix, particularly in production environments where device mapper integrity functionality is actively used. Monitoring for memory consumption patterns and implementing automated alerting for unusual memory usage trends can help detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing regular kernel security audits to identify similar resource management issues in other subsystems, as this vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor error path omissions can lead to significant operational impacts. The fix aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001 which involves resource exhaustion attacks, though in this case the exhaustion occurs through improper resource management rather than malicious exploitation.