Linux Kernel up to 6.1.10 hv_balloon debugfs_lookup memory leak

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 5.5 | $0-$5k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.10. It has been declared as critical. Affected is the function debugfs_lookup of the component hv_balloon. Executing a manipulation can lead to memory leak.
This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2023-52937. No exploit exists.
It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.
Details
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.10. This vulnerability affects the function debugfs_lookup of the component hv_balloon. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory leak vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-401. The product does not sufficiently track and release allocated memory after it has been used, which slowly consumes remaining memory. As an impact it is known to affect availability. CVE summarizes:
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: HV: hv_balloon: fix memory leak with using debugfs_lookup() When calling debugfs_lookup() the result must have dput() called on it, otherwise the memory will leak over time. To make things simpler, just call debugfs_lookup_and_remove() instead which handles all of the logic at once.
The advisory is available at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2023-52937 since 08/21/2024. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit.
Upgrading to version 6.1.11 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 0b570a059cf42ad6e2eb632f47c23813d58d8303/6dfb0771429a63db8561d44147f2bb76f93e1c86 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at git.kernel.org. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.
The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-0649). If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Affected
- Google Container-Optimized OS
- Debian Linux
- Amazon Linux 2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux
- Ubuntu Linux
- SUSE Linux
- Oracle Linux
- SUSE openSUSE
- Dell Avamar
- Open Source Linux Kernel
- SolarWinds Security Event Manager
- Dell NetWorker
- Dell Secure Connect Gateway
Product
Type
Vendor
Name
Version
License
Website
- Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔍VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.7VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.5
VulDB Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Temp Score: 5.5
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv2
| AV | AC | Au | C | I | A |
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| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Memory leakCWE: CWE-401 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍
Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Partially
Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined
EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍
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Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Upgrade: Kernel 6.1.11
Patch: 0b570a059cf42ad6e2eb632f47c23813d58d8303/6dfb0771429a63db8561d44147f2bb76f93e1c86
Timeline
08/21/2024 🔍03/27/2025 🔍
03/27/2025 🔍
12/07/2025 🔍
Sources
Vendor: kernel.orgAdvisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2023-52937 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-52937
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-301762
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-0649 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen
Entry
Created: 03/27/2025 18:53Updated: 12/07/2025 02:17
Changes: 03/27/2025 18:53 (59), 08/24/2025 08:06 (7), 12/07/2025 02:17 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
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