CVE-2023-53834 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 12/09/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
iio: adc: ina2xx: avoid NULL pointer dereference on OF device match
The affected lines were resulting in a NULL pointer dereference on our platform because the device tree contained the following list of compatible strings:
power-sensor@40 {
compatible = "ti,ina232", "ti,ina231"; ... };
Since the driver doesn't declare a compatible string "ti,ina232", the OF matching succeeds on "ti,ina231". But the I2C device ID info is populated via the first compatible string, cf. modalias population in of_i2c_get_board_info(). Since there is no "ina232" entry in the legacy I2C device ID table either, the struct i2c_device_id *id pointer in the probe function is NULL.
Fix this by using the already populated type variable instead, which points to the proper driver data. Since the name is also wanted, add a generic one to the ina2xx_config table.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2026
The vulnerability CVE-2023-53834 represents a critical NULL pointer dereference issue within the Linux kernel's industrial I/O (IIO) subsystem, specifically affecting the ina2xx ADC driver used for power monitoring sensors. This flaw occurs during device tree matching operations where the kernel attempts to resolve compatible strings defined in device tree entries against the driver's supported device identifiers. The vulnerability manifests when a device tree node specifies multiple compatible strings, with the first string not matching any registered device ID, while the second string successfully matches a driver entry. This scenario creates a dangerous condition where the probe function receives a NULL pointer reference instead of valid device identification data, potentially leading to system crashes or denial of service conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from how the Linux kernel's device tree matching mechanism processes compatible strings and how the ina2xx driver handles device identification. When a device tree node declares compatible strings such as "ti,ina232", "ti,ina231", the kernel's device matching process successfully identifies the second string as a valid match, but the subsequent device ID population mechanism fails to properly initialize the device identifier structure. The function of_i2c_get_board_info() is responsible for populating the modalias information based on the first compatible string, but when that string lacks an entry in the legacy I2C device ID table, the resulting struct i2c_device_id *id pointer remains NULL. This NULL pointer dereference occurs because the driver's probe function expects valid device identification data but receives none, creating an execution path that leads to kernel memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability to potentially compromise the reliability of embedded systems and industrial monitoring applications that rely on precise power measurement capabilities. Systems utilizing the ina2xx driver for monitoring power consumption in servers, industrial equipment, or IoT devices could experience unexpected system crashes or complete service outages when encountering device tree configurations with multiple compatible strings where the first entry is not supported. This vulnerability affects the fundamental device matching and probe mechanisms within the Linux kernel's I2C subsystem, potentially impacting any system where device tree configurations might contain such ambiguous compatible string declarations. The issue is particularly concerning in production environments where device tree modifications might be automated or where legacy configurations are maintained alongside newer device definitions.
The fix for CVE-2023-53834 addresses the core issue by modifying the driver's probe function to utilize the already populated type variable instead of relying on the potentially NULL device ID pointer. This approach ensures that the driver operates on valid device identification data regardless of the order or existence of compatible strings in the device tree. The solution involves adding a generic device name to the ina2xx_config table, which provides a consistent method for device identification that bypasses the problematic NULL pointer scenario. This mitigation aligns with CWE-476 which addresses NULL pointer dereference vulnerabilities in software systems, and follows principles similar to those recommended in the ATT&CK framework's system and network reconnaissance techniques where proper input validation and error handling are essential. The fix demonstrates proper defensive programming practices by ensuring that all code paths maintain valid pointer references and that device matching logic properly handles edge cases in device tree configurations, thereby preventing potential exploitation that could lead to system compromise or denial of service conditions.