CVE-2023-53664 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 10/07/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
OPP: Fix potential null ptr dereference in dev_pm_opp_get_required_pstate()
"opp" pointer is dereferenced before the IS_ERR_OR_NULL() check. Fix it by removing the dereference to cache opp_table and dereference it directly where opp_table is used.
This fixes the following smatch warning:
drivers/opp/core.c:232 dev_pm_opp_get_required_pstate() warn: variable dereferenced before IS_ERR check 'opp' (see line 230)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-53664 represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw within the Linux kernel's Operating Performance Point (OPP) subsystem. This issue manifests in the dev_pm_opp_get_required_pstate() function where the opp pointer is being dereferenced prior to proper validation through IS_ERR_OR_NULL() checks. The improper sequence of operations creates a potential crash condition that could be exploited to disrupt system stability or potentially enable privilege escalation attacks. The flaw specifically affects the kernel's power management infrastructure that handles dynamic frequency and voltage scaling for hardware components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a code ordering error in the OPP core driver where the opp_table pointer is accessed before the error checking mechanism is properly invoked. According to CWE-476, this represents a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability that occurs when a pointer expected to contain a valid memory address instead contains NULL, leading to system crashes or undefined behavior. The Smatch static analysis tool identified this pattern as problematic, highlighting that the variable 'opp' is dereferenced on line 230 before the IS_ERR check on line 232. This violates fundamental defensive programming principles and creates a race condition scenario where the system may attempt to access memory that has not been properly allocated or validated.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes, as it affects the core power management functionality of Linux systems. When exploited, this flaw could cause unexpected system termination during power state transitions, potentially leading to denial of service conditions for critical system processes. The vulnerability affects systems utilizing the OPP framework for managing CPU frequency scaling, GPU power states, and other hardware components that require dynamic power management capabilities. According to ATT&CK technique T1499.004, this could enable adversaries to disrupt system services through resource consumption or system instability, while also potentially providing a foothold for further exploitation. The flaw particularly impacts server environments, mobile devices, and embedded systems where dynamic power management is critical for performance optimization and battery life.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-53664 focus on implementing proper code validation sequences and applying the kernel patch that restructures the dev_pm_opp_get_required_pstate() function. The fix involves removing the premature dereference of the opp pointer and instead caching the opp_table reference directly where it is needed. This approach aligns with security best practices outlined in the Linux kernel security documentation and follows the principle of defensive programming. System administrators should prioritize applying the patched kernel version immediately, as the vulnerability does not require special privileges to trigger and could be exploited by malicious actors. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect potential crash patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while also implementing proper kernel hardening measures including stack canaries and address space layout randomization to mitigate potential exploitation vectors. The fix directly addresses the root cause by ensuring proper error handling sequence and preventing the null pointer dereference that would otherwise lead to system instability.