CVE-2023-54102 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 12/24/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
scsi: lpfc: Prevent lpfc_debugfs_lockstat_write() buffer overflow
A static code analysis tool flagged the possibility of buffer overflow when using copy_from_user() for a debugfs entry.
Currently, it is possible that copy_from_user() copies more bytes than what would fit in the mybuf char array. Add a min() restriction check between sizeof(mybuf) - 1 and nbytes passed from the userspace buffer to protect against buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-54102 affects the Linux kernel's SCSI lpfc driver implementation, specifically within the lpfc_debugfs_lockstat_write() function. This issue represents a classic buffer overflow condition that could potentially allow malicious actors to exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities within the kernel space. The problem manifests in the debugfs interface where user-space applications interact with kernel debug information, creating a potential attack surface that requires careful handling of data transfers between user and kernel contexts.
The technical flaw stems from improper bounds checking when utilizing the copy_from_user() kernel function to transfer data from user space into a statically allocated kernel buffer. The mybuf character array has a predetermined size limitation, yet the copy_from_user() operation does not enforce adequate bounds checking against the actual number of bytes requested from user space. This discrepancy creates a scenario where an attacker could potentially supply more data than the destination buffer can accommodate, leading to memory corruption that might result in privilege escalation or system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple buffer overflow conditions as it affects the kernel's debug infrastructure and could potentially provide attackers with means to gain unauthorized access to kernel memory regions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the debugfs subsystem, which typically provides diagnostic information and can be accessed by various system components. This creates opportunities for exploitation through malicious debug data injection that could be leveraged to compromise system integrity and potentially escalate privileges to kernel level access.
The fix implemented addresses this issue by introducing a min() restriction check that limits the number of bytes copied from user space to the maximum capacity of the mybuf array minus one byte. This approach follows established security practices for preventing buffer overflows and aligns with the common defensive programming technique of ensuring that copy operations respect destination buffer boundaries. The solution specifically references CWE-121 as it deals with stack-based buffer overflow conditions and incorporates elements of the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation tactics by preventing unauthorized memory access patterns that could be exploited for system compromise.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability highlights the importance of rigorous input validation within kernel space operations, particularly when dealing with debug interfaces that may be exposed to untrusted user input. The fix demonstrates proper defensive programming practices and emphasizes the need for continuous code review processes that can identify such potential buffer overflow conditions before they can be exploited in production environments. Organizations should ensure their kernel updates include this patch to maintain system integrity and prevent potential exploitation of this memory corruption vulnerability.