CVE-2023-54254 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 12/30/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
drm/ttm: Don't leak a resource on eviction error
On eviction errors other than -EMULTIHOP we were leaking a resource. Fix.
v2: - Avoid yet another goto (Andi Shyti)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-54254 resides within the Linux kernel's direct rendering manager ttm subsystem, specifically addressing a resource management flaw in the graphics driver framework. This issue manifests during the eviction process of graphics memory resources where the system fails to properly handle error conditions, leading to resource leakage that can accumulate over time and potentially degrade system performance or stability. The problem affects systems utilizing the drm/ttm subsystem for graphics memory management, particularly those running kernel versions prior to the fix implementation.
The technical flaw occurs when the ttm subsystem attempts to evict graphics resources from memory and encounters an error condition other than -EMULTIHOP. Under normal circumstances, when eviction operations fail, the system should properly release or clean up the associated resources to prevent memory leaks. However, in this specific scenario, the code path fails to execute the necessary cleanup operations, resulting in resource handles remaining allocated even though the eviction process has terminated unsuccessfully. This represents a classic memory management error where allocated resources are not properly deallocated, creating a resource leak that can compound over multiple eviction operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory consumption issues as it can lead to progressive system degradation and potential denial of service conditions. When graphics applications repeatedly attempt to evict memory resources and encounter errors, each failed eviction operation leaves behind leaked resources that consume system memory. This leakage becomes particularly problematic in graphics-intensive environments or systems running multiple graphics applications simultaneously, where the accumulation of leaked resources can eventually consume significant portions of available memory. The vulnerability affects the overall stability and performance of graphics subsystems, potentially causing applications to crash or system responsiveness to deteriorate over time.
The fix implemented for CVE-2023-54254 addresses the resource leak by ensuring proper cleanup operations execute regardless of the specific error condition encountered during eviction. The solution involves modifying the error handling code path to guarantee that when eviction operations fail with errors other than -EMULTIHOP, the associated resources are properly released back to the system. This approach aligns with established security practices for memory management and resource handling, preventing the accumulation of leaked resources that could otherwise lead to system instability. The fix also incorporates code quality improvements by eliminating unnecessary goto statements, following best practices for maintainable code structure. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust error handling in kernel subsystems and aligns with CWE-404, which addresses improper resource release or cleanup, and may relate to ATT&CK techniques involving system resource exhaustion or denial of service conditions.
The resolution of this vulnerability through kernel updates ensures that graphics memory management operations maintain proper resource accounting even when encountering error conditions. System administrators should prioritize applying the relevant kernel patches to mitigate this resource leak vulnerability, particularly in environments with intensive graphics workloads or systems where memory conservation is critical. The fix represents a defensive programming approach that emphasizes proper resource cleanup and error handling, which are fundamental principles for maintaining system reliability and preventing potential exploitation scenarios that could leverage resource exhaustion for malicious purposes.