CVE-2023-54053 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 12/24/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
wifi: iwlwifi: pcie: fix possible NULL pointer dereference
It is possible that iwl_pci_probe() will fail and free the trans, then afterwards iwl_pci_remove() will be called and crash by trying to access trans which is already freed, fix it.
iwlwifi 0000:01:00.0: Detected crf-id 0xa5a5a5a2, cnv-id 0xa5a5a5a2 wfpm id 0xa5a5a5a2 iwlwifi 0000:01:00.0: Can't find a correct rfid for crf id 0x5a2 ... BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000028 ... RIP: 0010:iwl_pci_remove+0x12/0x30 [iwlwifi]
pci_device_remove+0x3e/0xb0 device_release_driver_internal+0x103/0x1f0 driver_detach+0x4c/0x90 bus_remove_driver+0x5c/0xd0 driver_unregister+0x31/0x50 pci_unregister_driver+0x40/0x90 iwl_pci_unregister_driver+0x15/0x20 [iwlwifi]
__exit_compat+0x9/0x98 [iwlwifi]
__x64_sys_delete_module+0x147/0x260
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2023-54053 represents a critical null pointer dereference issue within the iwlwifi driver of the Linux kernel, specifically affecting PCIe wireless network adapters. This flaw manifests during the device removal process when the kernel attempts to access a previously freed memory structure, leading to a kernel panic and system crash. The issue occurs in the iwl_pci_remove() function which is invoked during driver unloading or device removal operations, creating a scenario where the wireless device's transport layer structure has already been deallocated but the removal routine still attempts to reference it. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-476 category of NULL Pointer Dereference, which is classified as a fundamental programming error that can lead to system instability and potential denial of service conditions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires specific conditions to be met during the device lifecycle management process. During normal operation, the iwl_pci_probe() function initializes the wireless device and allocates memory for the transport structure. However, if this initialization fails for any reason such as hardware detection issues or configuration problems, the function properly frees the allocated memory structures. The subsequent invocation of iwl_pci_remove() during device cleanup or driver unloading then attempts to access the already-freed transport structure at memory address 0x0000000000000028, resulting in a kernel NULL pointer dereference. This scenario is particularly dangerous because it occurs in kernel space where such errors can cause complete system crashes and potential data loss.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability to encompass potential security implications within embedded and enterprise environments. When a wireless device experiences a failure during probe operations and subsequently triggers the removal routine, the system becomes vulnerable to unexpected crashes that could be exploited by malicious actors to cause denial of service attacks against network infrastructure. The error message indicates specific hardware identification issues with crf-id, cnv-id, and wfpm id values, suggesting that this vulnerability may be triggered by particular hardware configurations or firmware states. According to ATT&CK framework category T1499, this vulnerability could be leveraged to disrupt services through system crashes, while also aligning with T1566 for initial access via network-based attacks that might exploit the device's wireless capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-54053 should focus on immediate kernel updates and proper error handling mechanisms within the driver code. System administrators should prioritize applying the latest kernel patches that contain the fix for this null pointer dereference issue, as the vulnerability is resolved through proper memory management checks in the iwlwifi driver. The fix implemented in the kernel ensures that the iwl_pci_remove() function performs proper validation checks before accessing the transport structure, preventing access to freed memory. Organizations should also implement monitoring systems to detect unusual device removal patterns or kernel panic events that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, maintaining up-to-date firmware for wireless devices and implementing proper device lifecycle management protocols can help reduce the risk of encountering this vulnerability in production environments. The solution aligns with security best practices outlined in the Common Vulnerability Scoring System and represents a fundamental correction to memory management within the Linux kernel's wireless subsystem.