CVE-2023-53653 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 10/07/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
media: amphion: fix REVERSE_INULL issues reported by coverity
null-checking of a pointor is suggested before dereferencing it
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-53653 resides within the Linux kernel's media subsystem, specifically affecting the amphion driver component that manages audio and video processing hardware. This issue was discovered through static analysis tools and reported by coverity, highlighting a critical null pointer dereference condition that could potentially lead to system instability or privilege escalation. The amphion driver is responsible for handling multimedia processing tasks in certain hardware platforms, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for embedded systems and devices that rely heavily on media processing capabilities.
The technical flaw manifests as an insufficient null pointer validation before dereferencing a pointer variable within the amphion driver's codebase. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper null pointer dereference, which is classified as CWE-476 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The root cause occurs when the driver attempts to access memory through a pointer that has not been properly validated for null status, creating a potential execution path that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically affects the REVERSE_INULL checking mechanism, which is designed to identify and prevent invalid pointer operations during reverse operations within the media processing pipeline.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to system integrity and availability, particularly in embedded devices and automotive systems that utilize the amphion media processing hardware. When the null pointer dereference occurs, it can result in kernel panics, system crashes, or potentially allow privilege escalation attacks that could enable unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. The impact extends beyond simple system instability as it could compromise the entire media processing pipeline, affecting audio and video functionality across the device. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges or cause denial of service conditions that would render the affected system unusable.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-53653 should focus on implementing proper null pointer validation before any pointer dereference operations within the amphion driver code. System administrators should prioritize applying the kernel patches provided by the Linux kernel security team, which include the necessary null-checking mechanisms to prevent the invalid pointer access. The fix involves adding comprehensive null validation checks at the point where the problematic pointer is used, ensuring that the driver gracefully handles cases where pointer initialization fails. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, following the principle of least privilege and maintaining up-to-date kernel versions can significantly reduce the attack surface and prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities within the media subsystem. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting local privileges to gain system-level access, making proper input validation and kernel hardening essential defensive measures.