CVE-2023-54017 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 12/24/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
powerpc/pseries: fix possible memory leak in ibmebus_bus_init()
If device_register() returns error in ibmebus_bus_init(), name of kobject which is allocated in dev_set_name() called in device_add() is leaked.
As comment of device_add() says, it should call put_device() to drop the reference count that was set in device_initialize() when it fails, so the name can be freed in kobject_cleanup().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-54017 represents a memory leak condition within the Linux kernel's powerpc/pseries subsystem, specifically affecting the ibmebus_bus_init() function. This flaw occurs during the initialization process of IBM eBus devices on powerpc systems, where the kernel fails to properly handle error conditions in the device registration flow. The issue manifests when device_register() returns an error status during the ibmebus_bus_init() execution, creating a scenario where allocated kernel objects are not correctly released, resulting in memory consumption that cannot be reclaimed by the system's memory management subsystem.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper error handling within the device initialization sequence. When device_add() is invoked within ibmebus_bus_init(), the function dev_set_name() allocates memory for the kobject name, but if device_register() subsequently fails, the cleanup mechanism that should normally release this memory allocation is not properly executed. According to kernel documentation and established practices, device_add() should call put_device() to decrement the reference count that was initialized during device_initialize() when failure conditions occur. This reference count management is crucial for proper memory lifecycle control, as it ensures that kobject_cleanup() can properly free the allocated name string. Without this cleanup, the memory allocated for the kobject name remains allocated indefinitely, creating a memory leak that can accumulate over time and potentially lead to system performance degradation or resource exhaustion.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-54017 extends beyond simple memory consumption issues, particularly in embedded systems or server environments where powerpc-based hardware is deployed. Systems running affected kernel versions may experience gradual memory consumption increases, potentially leading to reduced system responsiveness, application instability, or even system crashes under sustained load conditions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where multiple device initialization operations might occur, as the cumulative effect of these memory leaks could significantly impact system longevity and resource availability. This type of memory leak vulnerability aligns with CWE-401: Improper Release of Memory Before Removing Last Reference, which specifically addresses the failure to properly manage reference counts and object lifecycles in kernel memory management operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-54017 should prioritize kernel updates to versions that include the fix, which typically involves modifying the ibmebus_bus_init() function to properly handle error conditions by ensuring that put_device() is called when device_register() fails. System administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to track memory usage patterns on affected systems, particularly focusing on kernel memory consumption and device registration activities. The fix demonstrates adherence to established kernel development practices and security guidelines, ensuring proper resource management and following the ATT&CK framework's concept of privilege escalation through resource exhaustion attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of kernel updates, as this vulnerability represents a common class of memory management flaws that can be exploited to create persistent resource consumption issues in production environments.