CVE-2023-54016 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 12/24/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
wifi: ath12k: Fix memory leak in rx_desc and tx_desc
Currently when ath12k_dp_cc_desc_init() is called we allocate memory to rx_descs and tx_descs. In ath12k_dp_cc_cleanup(), during descriptor cleanup rx_descs and tx_descs memory is not freed.
This is cause of memory leak. These allocated memory should be freed in ath12k_dp_cc_cleanup.
In ath12k_dp_cc_desc_init(), we can save base address of rx_descs and tx_descs. In ath12k_dp_cc_cleanup(), we can free rx_descs and tx_descs memory using their base address.
Tested-on: QCN9274 hw2.0 PCI WLAN.WBE.1.0.1-00029-QCAHKSWPL_SILICONZ-1
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2023-54016 represents a memory leak flaw within the Linux kernel's ath12k wireless driver implementation that specifically affects Qualcomm-based WiFi chipsets. This issue resides in the data path descriptor management subsystem where the driver fails to properly release allocated memory resources during cleanup operations. The ath12k driver is responsible for managing wireless communication on Qualcomm's QCN9274 hardware platform, and this memory leak occurs in the channel context cleanup function that handles receive and transmit descriptor management. The vulnerability is classified as a memory management error that can lead to progressive memory consumption over time, potentially degrading system performance or causing system instability.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation within the ath12k wireless driver's data path implementation. During the initialization phase through ath12k_dp_cc_desc_init(), the driver allocates memory for both receive descriptors (rx_descs) and transmit descriptors (tx_descs) to manage wireless packet processing. However, when the cleanup function ath12k_dp_cc_cleanup() is invoked to release these resources, the driver fails to free the memory previously allocated for rx_descs and tx_descs structures. This creates a classic memory leak scenario where allocated memory remains in use but is no longer accessible to the system, leading to gradual memory exhaustion. The root cause lies in the missing memory deallocation step that should occur during the cleanup routine, specifically the absence of freeing operations for the base addresses of descriptor arrays.
The operational impact of this memory leak vulnerability extends beyond simple resource consumption, potentially affecting wireless connectivity and overall system stability. When the wireless driver continues to operate with unbounded memory growth, it can lead to memory pressure that impacts other system processes or even causes the kernel to trigger out-of-memory conditions. The vulnerability affects devices running on Qualcomm's QCN9274 hardware platform with specific firmware versions, making it particularly relevant for mobile devices, laptops, and embedded systems that rely on this wireless chipset. The progressive nature of the memory leak means that prolonged system uptime increases the risk of system instability or complete wireless service disruption, as the memory pool becomes increasingly constrained.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-54016 should focus on implementing proper memory management practices within the wireless driver codebase. The fix requires modifications to the ath12k_dp_cc_cleanup() function to ensure that memory allocated during initialization is properly freed using the base addresses previously stored during the initialization phase. This approach aligns with the common practice of maintaining references to allocated memory blocks to enable proper cleanup operations. System administrators should prioritize applying kernel updates that contain the patched driver code, particularly for devices that operate in environments where continuous wireless connectivity is critical. Additionally, monitoring memory usage patterns and implementing automated system alerts for memory pressure conditions can help detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability in deployed systems. The fix addresses the underlying CWE-401 weakness category related to improper resource management and should be considered as part of comprehensive security maintenance practices that align with industry standards for kernel security hardening.
This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper resource management in kernel space drivers and highlights potential attack vectors where resource exhaustion could be leveraged for denial-of-service attacks. The memory leak could potentially be exploited by malicious actors to gradually consume system resources, leading to system instability or forced reboots. The fix implemented follows established security practices for preventing memory leaks in kernel modules and aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to resource exhaustion and system stability compromise. Organizations should ensure that their wireless infrastructure maintains current kernel versions and driver updates to protect against similar memory management vulnerabilities that could impact network connectivity and system reliability.