CVE-2023-53674 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 10/07/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
clk: Fix memory leak in devm_clk_notifier_register()
devm_clk_notifier_register() allocates a devres resource for clk notifier but didn't register that to the device, so the notifier didn't get unregistered on device detach and the allocated resource was leaked.
Fix the issue by registering the resource through devres_add().
This issue was found with kmemleak on a Chromebook.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-53674 resides within the Linux kernel's clock management subsystem, specifically affecting the devm_clk_notifier_register() function. This flaw represents a memory management issue that occurs during device resource handling and demonstrates a critical failure in the device resource management framework. The vulnerability manifests when clock notifiers are registered for device management purposes but are not properly integrated into the device's resource management system, creating a scenario where allocated memory remains unreleased even after device detachment events. The issue was discovered through kernel memory leak detection mechanisms, specifically kmemleak analysis, which identified the improper resource handling during Chromebook device operations.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper implementation of device resource management within the Linux kernel's device model. When devm_clk_notifier_register() is invoked, it correctly allocates memory for a devres resource to manage clock notifiers but fails to register this resource with the device's resource management system through the required devres_add() function call. This omission creates a memory leak condition where the allocated memory for the clock notifier remains allocated indefinitely, as the device subsystem never triggers the cleanup routine that would normally release these resources during device detachment. The flaw directly violates proper device resource management protocols and represents a classic case of resource lifecycle management failure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory consumption issues to potentially affect system stability and performance over extended periods of operation. In embedded systems like Chromebooks where memory resources are constrained and long-running device operations are common, this memory leak can accumulate over time and eventually lead to system resource exhaustion. The vulnerability affects any system utilizing the Linux kernel's device management framework with clock notifiers, particularly those implementing device managed resources through the devm_ family of functions. The memory leak occurs during normal device operation when clock notifiers are registered, making it a persistent threat to system reliability and resource availability.
The fix for CVE-2023-53674 involves implementing the missing devres_add() call to properly register the allocated resource with the device's resource management system. This ensures that when a device is detached or removed, the associated clock notifier resources are properly cleaned up through the standard device resource management framework. The solution aligns with established kernel development practices for device resource management and follows the documented patterns for using the devm_ family of functions. This remediation addresses the core issue by ensuring proper resource lifecycle management and prevents the accumulation of leaked memory that would otherwise occur during device operation. The fix demonstrates adherence to the Linux kernel's resource management standards and prevents the type of memory leak commonly associated with improper device resource handling.
This vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-404, which specifically addresses improper resource management, and represents a classic example of resource leak in device management contexts. From an attack perspective, while the vulnerability itself may not directly enable privilege escalation or remote code execution, it can contribute to system instability and resource exhaustion attacks that could be leveraged in combination with other vulnerabilities. The issue falls within the ATT&CK technique T1499.001 for resource exhaustion, where improper resource management can lead to system performance degradation and potential denial of service conditions. The vulnerability's discovery through kmemleak analysis demonstrates the effectiveness of modern kernel debugging and memory leak detection tools in identifying subtle resource management flaws in complex kernel subsystems.