CVE-2023-54106 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 12/24/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net/mlx5: fix potential memory leak in mlx5e_init_rep_rx
The memory pointed to by the priv->rx_res pointer is not freed in the error path of mlx5e_init_rep_rx, which can lead to a memory leak. Fix by freeing the memory in the error path, thereby making the error path identical to mlx5e_cleanup_rep_rx().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-54106 represents a memory leak condition within the Linux kernel's Mellanox 5th generation network driver implementation. This flaw specifically affects the mlx5e_init_rep_rx function which manages the initialization of receive resources for representor interfaces in Mellanox ConnectX-5 and newer network adapters. The issue manifests when the function encounters an error during resource allocation, leaving allocated memory structures unreleased. The vulnerability stems from an asymmetric error handling pattern where successful code paths properly clean up resources through mlx5e_cleanup_rep_rx while error paths fail to release the priv->rx_res memory pointer. This type of memory management inconsistency creates a persistent memory leak that can accumulate over time and potentially lead to system performance degradation or resource exhaustion. The flaw impacts systems utilizing Mellanox network hardware in virtualized environments where representor interfaces are frequently created and destroyed during network configuration operations. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-401: Improper Release of Memory and falls under the broader category of memory management errors in kernel space code. The technical execution of this vulnerability requires the occurrence of an error condition during the mlx5e_init_rep_rx function execution, typically involving failures in memory allocation or hardware resource initialization. The operational impact extends beyond simple memory consumption as it can affect network performance and system stability, particularly in high-throughput environments where network interface reconfiguration occurs frequently. The fix implemented addresses this by ensuring that error paths in mlx5e_init_rep_rx mirror the cleanup behavior of mlx5e_cleanup_rep_rx, thereby maintaining consistent resource management throughout all execution branches. This remediation aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1490: Inhibit System Recovery, as memory leaks can contribute to system instability and resource exhaustion that may prevent normal system recovery operations. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of symmetric error handling in kernel space drivers where resource cleanup must occur regardless of execution path. Organizations running Linux systems with Mellanox network adapters should prioritize this patch deployment as it prevents potential denial of service conditions through memory exhaustion, particularly in virtualized environments where representor interfaces are actively managed. The fix ensures that all allocated memory structures are properly released during error conditions, maintaining system memory integrity and preventing long-term resource leakage that could compromise system performance or availability.