CVE-2023-54122 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 12/24/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
drm/msm/dpu: Add check for cstate
As kzalloc may fail and return NULL pointer, it should be better to check cstate in order to avoid the NULL pointer dereference in __drm_atomic_helper_crtc_reset.
Patchwork: https://patchwork.freedesktop.org/patch/514163/
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-54122 resides within the Linux kernel's display subsystem, specifically in the drm/msm/dpu driver component. This issue represents a classic null pointer dereference scenario that could potentially lead to system instability or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability manifests in the graphics processing unit driver context where memory allocation operations are not properly validated before subsequent usage, creating a potential attack surface for malicious actors seeking to exploit kernel-level weaknesses.
The technical flaw occurs when the kzalloc function fails to allocate memory and returns a NULL pointer, yet the code does not perform proper validation checks before proceeding with operations on the cstate variable. This particular driver component manages display processing units and handles atomic helper operations for CRTC (Cathode Ray Tube Controller) reset functionality. The __drm_atomic_helper_crtc_reset function attempts to dereference the cstate pointer without verifying whether the memory allocation succeeded, leading to a kernel panic or system crash when the NULL pointer is accessed.
This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-476 which identifies NULL pointer dereference as a common weakness in software development practices. The issue demonstrates poor error handling and resource management within kernel space code where allocation failures are not properly accounted for in the control flow. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes as it could potentially allow for privilege escalation or denial of service attacks against systems running affected kernel versions, particularly those utilizing msm display drivers for mobile or embedded devices.
The mitigation strategy involves implementing proper NULL pointer validation immediately after memory allocation operations, ensuring that the cstate variable is checked before any dereference operations occur. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves privilege escalation through kernel exploits, as this vulnerability could serve as a foothold for more sophisticated attacks. Systems administrators should prioritize applying the upstream patch referenced in the patchwork link to address the issue at the source. The fix requires adding explicit null checks in the driver code to prevent execution from proceeding when memory allocation fails, thereby maintaining system stability and preventing potential exploitation by adversaries seeking to leverage kernel-level vulnerabilities for unauthorized access or system compromise.