CVE-2023-54001 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 12/24/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
staging: r8712: Fix memory leak in _r8712_init_xmit_priv()
In the above mentioned routine, memory is allocated in several places. If the first succeeds and a later one fails, the routine will leak memory. This patch fixes commit 2865d42c78a9 ("staging: r8712u: Add the new driver to the mainline kernel"). A potential memory leak in r8712_xmit_resource_alloc() is also addressed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/30/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2023-54001 represents a memory leak condition within the Linux kernel's staging driver subsystem, specifically affecting the r8712u wireless network driver implementation. This issue manifests in the _r8712_init_xmit_priv() function where multiple memory allocation operations occur sequentially. When the initial memory allocation succeeds but subsequent allocations fail, the previously allocated memory remains unreleased, creating a memory leak that can accumulate over time and potentially degrade system performance. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects a driver that operates within the kernel space, meaning memory leaks can lead to system instability and resource exhaustion that impacts the entire operating system rather than just a single application or process.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate error handling and memory management practices within the driver initialization routine. According to CWE-401, this vulnerability falls under memory leak conditions where allocated memory is not properly freed when error conditions occur during multi-step allocation processes. The specific commit referenced in the patch, 2865d42c78a9, introduced the r8712u driver to the mainline kernel, and the memory leak was present in the xmit resource allocation functions. This type of vulnerability is classified as a resource leak in the context of the ATT&CK framework under the technique T1490 - Resource Exhaustion, where system resources are consumed through improper memory management. The function r8712_xmit_resource_alloc() contains a secondary memory leak that was also addressed in the patch, indicating a comprehensive fix for the entire allocation and deallocation sequence.
The operational impact of this memory leak vulnerability extends beyond simple resource consumption, as it can lead to progressive system degradation and potential denial of service conditions. In environments where wireless network drivers are frequently initialized and reinitialized, such as mobile devices or embedded systems, the cumulative effect of memory leaks can result in system crashes, reduced performance, or complete system instability. The vulnerability affects systems running Linux kernels that include the r8712u driver, which is typically found in certain Realtek wireless network adapters. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability by repeatedly triggering driver initialization sequences, causing memory exhaustion that could lead to system crashes or make the system unresponsive to legitimate network operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve applying the kernel patch that addresses the specific memory leak conditions in the _r8712_init_xmit_priv() function and r8712_xmit_resource_alloc() routines. System administrators should ensure their kernel versions include the fix from commit 2865d42c78a9 and subsequent patches that correct the improper memory deallocation logic. The patch implements proper error handling that ensures all previously allocated memory is freed when subsequent allocation operations fail, following standard kernel development practices for resource management. Additionally, monitoring system memory usage and implementing automated alerting for memory consumption patterns can help detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing kernel hardening measures such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and kernel module signing to reduce the attack surface and prevent unauthorized driver modifications that could exacerbate memory management issues.