CVE-2023-54084 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 12/24/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
ALSA: firewire-digi00x: prevent potential use after free
This code was supposed to return an error code if init_stream() failed, but it instead freed dg00x->rx_stream and returned success. This potentially leads to a use after free.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-54084 resides within the Linux kernel's Advanced Linux Sound Architecture implementation, specifically affecting the firewire-digi00x driver component. This driver manages audio devices connected via FireWire interface, particularly targeting Digidesign Digi 002 and 003 series audio interfaces. The flaw manifests in the stream initialization process where proper error handling mechanisms fail to prevent subsequent memory deallocation operations. The issue stems from a code path that should return an error status when the init_stream() function encounters failure conditions, but instead proceeds to free memory resources before returning a successful status code. This fundamental breakdown in conditional logic creates a scenario where memory objects become prematurely freed while still potentially being referenced by subsequent operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which describes the use of freed memory condition, and more specifically maps to the use after free pattern where a pointer is used after the memory it references has been deallocated. The firewire-digi00x driver operates within the kernel space sound subsystem, making this a critical security concern as it could potentially be exploited to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability. When init_stream() fails to initialize the receive stream properly, the code path incorrectly frees the dg00x->rx_stream structure and then returns success to the calling function. This creates a window where the freed memory might be accessed by other code paths, particularly during subsequent operations that assume the stream structure remains valid and accessible.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes or memory corruption, as it represents a potential escalation vector for privilege escalation attacks. An attacker with local access to a system running affected kernel versions could potentially exploit this flaw to gain elevated privileges or cause denial of service conditions that affect audio functionality and system stability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in embedded systems or professional audio workstations where FireWire audio interfaces are commonly deployed, as these environments often require high system reliability and may not be easily recoverable from memory corruption errors. The use after free condition could be leveraged to corrupt kernel memory structures, potentially leading to complete system compromise or data loss.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-54084 should focus on applying the official kernel patches that correct the error handling logic in the firewire-digi00x driver. System administrators should prioritize updating to kernel versions that contain the fix, typically kernel versions 6.4.10 or later, where the proper error code return mechanism has been implemented. Additionally, implementing kernel lockdown features and restricting local access to systems running affected software can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper error handling in kernel space code, particularly in audio subsystems where memory management and resource allocation are complex operations. Security monitoring should include detection of abnormal audio subsystem behavior or memory allocation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations using FireWire audio interfaces should conduct thorough testing of kernel updates to ensure compatibility with their audio workflows while maintaining security posture. The fix implemented in the patched kernel versions ensures that when init_stream() fails, the driver properly propagates the error code and avoids freeing memory resources until all references are properly managed, thereby preventing the use after free condition that could be exploited by malicious actors.