CVE-2023-53788 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 12/09/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
ALSA: hda/ca0132: fixup buffer overrun at tuning_ctl_set()
tuning_ctl_set() might have buffer overrun at (X) if it didn't break from loop by matching (A).
static int tuning_ctl_set(...) {
for (i = 0; i < TUNING_CTLS_COUNT; i++) (A) if (nid == ca0132_tuning_ctls[i].nid)
break;
snd_hda_power_up(...); (X) dspio_set_param(..., ca0132_tuning_ctls[i].mid, ...);
snd_hda_power_down(...); ^
return 1; }
We will get below error by cppcheck
sound/pci/hda/patch_ca0132.c:4229:2: note: After for loop, i has value 12 for (i = 0; i < TUNING_CTLS_COUNT; i++) ^ sound/pci/hda/patch_ca0132.c:4234:43: note: Array index out of bounds dspio_set_param(codec, ca0132_tuning_ctls[i].mid, 0x20,
^ This patch cares non match case.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2026
The vulnerability CVE-2023-53788 represents a critical buffer overrun condition in the Linux kernel's ALSA sound subsystem, specifically within the hda/ca0132 driver component. This flaw manifests in the tuning_ctl_set() function where improper loop termination logic creates a scenario allowing unauthorized memory access beyond allocated buffer boundaries. The issue stems from a fundamental programming error where the function fails to validate whether the loop termination condition was met before proceeding with buffer access operations, creating a potential pathway for malicious code execution or system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through a classic off-by-one error pattern within the control loop structure. The function iterates through a predefined array of tuning control elements using a for loop that runs from zero to the maximum count of tuning controls. However, the matching logic that should break the loop upon finding a matching node identifier fails to account for cases where no match occurs, allowing the loop to complete its full iteration cycle. When the loop reaches its maximum value without finding a match, the index variable retains its final incremented value, which then gets used to access array elements beyond the valid memory boundaries, resulting in the buffer overrun condition.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses situations where data is written beyond the boundaries of a fixed-length buffer, and it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 Command and Scripting Interpreter for executing malicious code through kernel-level buffer overflows. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it could potentially allow attackers to escalate privileges or cause denial of service conditions within systems utilizing affected hardware configurations. The flaw affects systems running Linux kernel versions where the ca0132 audio driver is implemented, particularly those supporting Creative Sound Blaster audio hardware configurations.
The patch implemented to address this vulnerability focuses on proper error handling and loop validation mechanisms to prevent the buffer overrun condition from occurring. The fix ensures that the function explicitly checks whether a matching node identifier was found before proceeding with the buffer access operation. This approach aligns with secure coding practices that emphasize defensive programming techniques and proper input validation. The solution prevents the use of uninitialized or invalid array indices by ensuring that the loop termination condition properly validates the matching process, thereby eliminating the potential for unauthorized memory access. System administrators should prioritize applying this patch to mitigate the risk of exploitation and maintain system stability in environments utilizing affected audio hardware components.