CVE-2023-54040 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 12/24/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
ice: fix wrong fallback logic for FDIR
When adding a FDIR filter, if ice_vc_fdir_set_irq_ctx returns failure, the inserted fdir entry will not be removed and if ice_vc_fdir_write_fltr returns failure, the fdir context info for irq handler will not be cleared which may lead to inconsistent or memory leak issue. This patch refines failure cases to resolve this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2023-54040 affects the Linux kernel's Intel Ethernet driver implementation, specifically within the ice driver responsible for managing Intel Ethernet network interfaces. This issue resides in the Flow Director (FDIR) functionality which enables hardware-based packet filtering and classification. The problem manifests in the driver's handling of error conditions during FDIR filter operations, creating potential memory management inconsistencies and resource leakage scenarios. The ice driver operates at a critical layer of network infrastructure where proper resource handling is essential for system stability and security.
The technical flaw stems from improper error handling logic within the FDIR filter management code path. When the function ice_vc_fdir_set_irq_ctx fails during filter addition operations, the system fails to properly clean up previously inserted FDIR entries, leaving them in an inconsistent state within the driver's internal data structures. Additionally, when ice_vc_fdir_write_fltr returns failure, the driver does not clear the associated interrupt context information that would normally be used by the IRQ handler. This dual failure scenario creates a memory leak condition where resources remain allocated but are no longer properly tracked or accessible. The vulnerability represents a classic case of resource leak and state inconsistency that can accumulate over time and potentially impact system performance or stability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory consumption issues to potentially affect network reliability and system integrity. In environments where FDIR filters are frequently added and removed, the accumulation of leaked resources can lead to progressive degradation of network performance or even system crashes. The inconsistent state management could also create conditions where subsequent network operations might fail or behave unpredictably, as the driver maintains corrupted internal state information. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to cause denial of service conditions through resource exhaustion, particularly in high-traffic network environments where FDIR operations are frequent. The vulnerability affects systems running Linux kernel versions where the ice driver handles network traffic through Intel Ethernet hardware, making it relevant to enterprise network infrastructure and cloud computing environments.
Mitigation strategies should focus on applying the kernel patch that corrects the error handling logic for FDIR operations. The fix implements proper cleanup procedures in failure scenarios, ensuring that when ice_vc_fdir_set_irq_ctx or ice_vc_fdir_write_fltr operations fail, all associated resources are properly released and internal state is maintained consistently. System administrators should prioritize applying the updated kernel version containing this fix, particularly in production environments where network reliability is critical. Monitoring systems should be implemented to detect unusual memory consumption patterns that might indicate resource leak conditions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-404, which addresses improper resource cleanup, and represents a potential vector for ATT&CK technique T1499.004 related to network denial of service attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing network traffic monitoring to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the resource leak could manifest as gradual performance degradation rather than immediate system failure.