CVE-2023-53864 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 12/09/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
drm/mxsfb: Disable overlay plane in mxsfb_plane_overlay_atomic_disable()
When disabling overlay plane in mxsfb_plane_overlay_atomic_update(), overlay plane's framebuffer pointer is NULL. So, dereferencing it would cause a kernel Oops(NULL pointer dereferencing). Fix the issue by disabling overlay plane in mxsfb_plane_overlay_atomic_disable() instead.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-53864 resides within the Linux kernel's display subsystem, specifically affecting the mxsfb driver used for i.MX SoC graphics hardware. This issue manifests in the direct memory access (DMA) and graphics rendering capabilities of embedded systems utilizing Freescale/NXP i.MX processors. The flaw occurs during the atomic update process of overlay planes, which are essential components for handling video and graphics overlays in embedded display environments. The vulnerability represents a classic null pointer dereference scenario that can lead to system instability and potential denial of service conditions.
The technical root cause stems from improper sequence handling during overlay plane operations within the mxsfb driver implementation. When the mxsfb_plane_overlay_atomic_update() function is invoked to disable an overlay plane, it sets the framebuffer pointer to NULL as part of its cleanup process. However, the subsequent call to mxsfb_plane_overlay_atomic_disable() attempts to access this now-null pointer, resulting in a kernel Oops condition. This represents a violation of the principle of proper resource management and state validation within kernel space operations. The flaw aligns with CWE-476 which specifically addresses null pointer dereference vulnerabilities in software systems. The improper state transition from active to disabled overlay plane creates an inconsistent kernel memory state that leads to immediate system termination through kernel oops handler.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes to potentially affect embedded systems that rely heavily on graphics processing capabilities. Devices utilizing i.MX SoC platforms for automotive infotainment systems, industrial control panels, or embedded multimedia applications could experience unexpected system failures during overlay plane operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in real-time embedded environments where system stability is paramount and unexpected kernel panics could lead to safety-critical failures. Attackers could potentially exploit this condition to cause persistent denial of service attacks against embedded systems, rendering display functionality unavailable and potentially affecting other system components that depend on proper graphics handling. This vulnerability affects systems running Linux kernel versions prior to the patch release, particularly impacting the atomic display update mechanisms that are fundamental to modern embedded graphics processing workflows.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-53864 require immediate kernel updates to the patched versions that properly handle overlay plane disable operations. System administrators should prioritize patching embedded systems running affected kernel versions to prevent potential exploitation. The fix implemented in the patch ensures that overlay plane disabling operations occur in the correct sequence, preventing the null pointer dereference by avoiding access to the framebuffer pointer during the disable phase. Organizations should also implement monitoring systems to detect kernel oops events and system crashes related to display subsystem operations. The solution aligns with the ATT&CK framework's defense evasion techniques by addressing kernel-level vulnerabilities that could be leveraged to maintain persistence or escalate privileges. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing runtime protection mechanisms that can detect anomalous display subsystem behavior and provide early warning capabilities for similar vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments of embedded systems should include kernel component validation to prevent similar null pointer dereference conditions from compromising system integrity.