CVE-2023-54270 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 12/30/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
media: usb: siano: Fix use after free bugs caused by do_submit_urb
There are UAF bugs caused by do_submit_urb(). One of the KASan reports is shown below:
[ 36.403605] BUG: KASAN: use-after-free in worker_thread+0x4a2/0x890
[ 36.406105] Read of size 8 at addr ffff8880059600e8 by task kworker/0:2/49
[ 36.408316]
[ 36.408867] CPU: 0 PID: 49 Comm: kworker/0:2 Not tainted 6.2.0-rc3-15798-g5a41237ad1d4-dir8
[ 36.411696] Hardware name: QEMU Standard PC (i440FX + PIIX, 1996), BIOS rel-1.14.0-0-g15584
[ 36.416157] Workqueue: 0x0 (events)
[ 36.417654] Call Trace:
[ 36.418546] <TASK>
[ 36.419320] dump_stack_lvl+0x96/0xd0
[ 36.420522] print_address_description+0x75/0x350
[ 36.421992] print_report+0x11b/0x250
[ 36.423174] ? _raw_spin_lock_irqsave+0x87/0xd0
[ 36.424806] ? __virt_addr_valid+0xcf/0x170
[ 36.426069] ? worker_thread+0x4a2/0x890
[ 36.427355] kasan_report+0x131/0x160
[ 36.428556] ? worker_thread+0x4a2/0x890
[ 36.430053] worker_thread+0x4a2/0x890
[ 36.431297] ? worker_clr_flags+0x90/0x90
[ 36.432479] kthread+0x166/0x190
[ 36.433493] ? kthread_blkcg+0x50/0x50
[ 36.434669] ret_from_fork+0x22/0x30
[ 36.435923] </TASK>
[ 36.436684]
[ 36.437215] Allocated by task 24:
[ 36.438289] kasan_set_track+0x50/0x80
[ 36.439436] __kasan_kmalloc+0x89/0xa0
[ 36.440566] smsusb_probe+0x374/0xc90
[ 36.441920] usb_probe_interface+0x2d1/0x4c0
[ 36.443253] really_probe+0x1d5/0x580
[ 36.444539] __driver_probe_device+0xe3/0x130
[ 36.446085] driver_probe_device+0x49/0x220
[ 36.447423] __device_attach_driver+0x19e/0x1b0
[ 36.448931] bus_for_each_drv+0xcb/0x110
[ 36.450217] __device_attach+0x132/0x1f0
[ 36.451470] bus_probe_device+0x59/0xf0
[ 36.452563] device_add+0x4ec/0x7b0
[ 36.453830] usb_set_configuration+0xc63/0xe10
[ 36.455230] usb_generic_driver_probe+0x3b/0x80
[ 36.456166] printk: console [ttyGS0] disabled
[ 36.456569] usb_probe_device+0x90/0x110
[ 36.459523] really_probe+0x1d5/0x580
[ 36.461027] __driver_probe_device+0xe3/0x130
[ 36.462465] driver_probe_device+0x49/0x220
[ 36.463847] __device_attach_driver+0x19e/0x1b0
[ 36.465229] bus_for_each_drv+0xcb/0x110
[ 36.466466] __device_attach+0x132/0x1f0
[ 36.467799] bus_probe_device+0x59/0xf0
[ 36.469010] device_add+0x4ec/0x7b0
[ 36.470125] usb_new_device+0x863/0xa00
[ 36.471374] hub_event+0x18c7/0x2220
[ 36.472746] process_one_work+0x34c/0x5b0
[ 36.474041] worker_thread+0x4b7/0x890
[ 36.475216] kthread+0x166/0x190
[ 36.476267] ret_from_fork+0x22/0x30
[ 36.477447]
[ 36.478160] Freed by task 24:
[ 36.479239] kasan_set_track+0x50/0x80
[ 36.480512] kasan_save_free_info+0x2b/0x40
[ 36.481808] ____kasan_slab_free+0x122/0x1a0
[ 36.483173] __kmem_cache_free+0xc4/0x200
[ 36.484563] smsusb_term_device+0xcd/0xf0
[ 36.485896] smsusb_probe+0xc85/0xc90
[ 36.486976] usb_probe_interface+0x2d1/0x4c0
[ 36.488303] really_probe+0x1d5/0x580
[ 36.489498] __driver_probe_device+0xe3/0x130
[ 36.491140] driver_probe_device+0x49/0x220
[ 36.492475] __device_attach_driver+0x19e/0x1b0
[ 36.493988] bus_for_each_drv+0xcb/0x110
[ 36.495171] __device_attach+0x132/0x1f0
[ 36.496617] bus_probe_device+0x59/0xf0
[ 36.497875] device_add+0x4ec/0x7b0
[ 36.498972] usb_set_configuration+0xc63/0xe10
[ 36.500264] usb_generic_driver_probe+0x3b/0x80
[ 36.501740] usb_probe_device+0x90/0x110
[ 36.503084] really_probe+0x1d5/0x580
[ 36.504241] __driver_probe_device+0xe3/0x130
[ 36.505548] driver_probe_device+0x49/0x220
[ 36.506766] __device_attach_driver+0x19e/0x1b0
[ 36.508368] bus_for_each_drv+0xcb/0x110
[ 36.509646] __device_attach+0x132/0x1f0
[ 36.510911] bus_probe_device+0x59/0xf0
[ 36.512103] device_add+0x4ec/0x7b0
[ 36.513215] usb_new_device+0x863/0xa00
[ 36.514736] hub_event+0x18c7/0x2220
[ 36.516130] process_one_work+
---truncated---
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-54270 resides within the Linux kernel's media USB siano driver, specifically in the handling of USB requests through the do_submit_urb function. This flaw manifests as a use-after-free condition that can lead to memory corruption and potentially arbitrary code execution. The issue is classified under CWE-416, which describes the use of freed memory, a critical security concern in kernel space operations. The vulnerability is triggered during the device probe and initialization phase, where memory allocated for USB communication structures is freed prematurely, yet subsequent operations attempt to access this deallocated memory region.
The technical flaw originates from improper lifecycle management of kernel memory objects within the smsusb_probe function. When a USB device is detected and probed, the kernel allocates memory structures to manage the device's communication state. However, during the device termination sequence, the smsusb_term_device function frees these structures, but the do_submit_urb function continues to reference them in worker threads. This creates a race condition where freed memory is accessed, leading to undefined behavior and potential exploitation. The KASan (Kernel Address Sanitizer) report indicates that a worker thread attempts to read an 8-byte value from address 0xffff8880059600e8, which has already been freed, demonstrating the classic use-after-free pattern.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it can be leveraged by attackers to gain unauthorized access to the system. When exploited, the use-after-free condition may allow an attacker to manipulate kernel memory, potentially leading to privilege escalation or denial of service. The vulnerability affects systems running Linux kernel versions where the siano USB media driver is present, particularly those handling USB devices such as DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) receivers or similar media devices. The attack vector requires physical access or the ability to connect malicious USB devices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-54270 involve applying the latest kernel security patches that address the improper memory management in the siano USB driver. System administrators should prioritize updating their Linux kernel installations to versions containing the fix, which typically involves ensuring proper synchronization between memory allocation and deallocation operations. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as kernel lockdown modes and restricting USB device access through device whitelisting can reduce the attack surface. The fix generally includes adding proper reference counting mechanisms and ensuring that all references to freed memory structures are nullified or removed before deallocation. Monitoring for unusual USB device behavior and implementing USB device authorization policies can further protect against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider deploying kernel module signing and integrity checking mechanisms to prevent unauthorized kernel modifications that could exacerbate the vulnerability.