Linux Kernel up to 5.15.90/6.1.8 Bluetooth rfcomm_lock reference count

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 5.15.90/6.1.8. It has been rated as critical. The affected element is the function rfcomm_lock of the component Bluetooth. Performing a manipulation results in reference count. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2023-53016. There is not any exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Linux Kernel up to 5.15.90/6.1.8. This affects the function rfcomm_lock of the component Bluetooth. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a reference count vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-911. The product uses a reference count to manage a resource, but it does not update or incorrectly updates the reference count. This is going to have an impact on availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: Bluetooth: Fix possible deadlock in rfcomm_sk_state_change syzbot reports a possible deadlock in rfcomm_sk_state_change [1]. While rfcomm_sock_connect acquires the sk lock and waits for the rfcomm lock, rfcomm_sock_release could have the rfcomm lock and hit a deadlock for acquiring the sk lock. Here's a simplified flow: rfcomm_sock_connect: lock_sock(sk) rfcomm_dlc_open: rfcomm_lock() rfcomm_sock_release: rfcomm_sock_shutdown: rfcomm_lock() __rfcomm_dlc_close: rfcomm_k_state_change: lock_sock(sk) This patch drops the sk lock before calling rfcomm_dlc_open to avoid the possible deadlock and holds sk's reference count to prevent use-after-free after rfcomm_dlc_open completes.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2023-53016 since 03/27/2025. The exploitability is told to be difficult. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

Upgrading to version 5.15.91 or 6.1.9 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 98aec50ff7f60cc6f2d6a4396b475c547e58b04d/17511bd84871f4a6106cb335616e086880313f3f/1d80d57ffcb55488f0ec0b77928d4f82d16b6a90 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). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 5.15.0
• 5.15.1
• 5.15.2
• 5.15.3
• 5.15.4
• 5.15.5
• 5.15.6
• 5.15.7
• 5.15.8
• 5.15.9
• 5.15.10
• 5.15.11
• 5.15.12
• 5.15.13
• 5.15.14
• 5.15.15
• 5.15.16
• 5.15.17
• 5.15.18
• 5.15.19
• 5.15.20
• 5.15.21
• 5.15.22
• 5.15.23
• 5.15.24
• 5.15.25
• 5.15.26
• 5.15.27
• 5.15.28
• 5.15.29
• 5.15.30
• 5.15.31
• 5.15.32
• 5.15.33
• 5.15.34
• 5.15.35
• 5.15.36
• 5.15.37
• 5.15.38
• 5.15.39
• 5.15.40
• 5.15.41
• 5.15.42
• 5.15.43
• 5.15.44
• 5.15.45
• 5.15.46
• 5.15.47
• 5.15.48
• 5.15.49
• 5.15.50
• 5.15.51
• 5.15.52
• 5.15.53
• 5.15.54
• 5.15.55
• 5.15.56
• 5.15.57
• 5.15.58
• 5.15.59
• 5.15.60
• 5.15.61
• 5.15.62
• 5.15.63
• 5.15.64
• 5.15.65
• 5.15.66
• 5.15.67
• 5.15.68
• 5.15.69
• 5.15.70
• 5.15.71
• 5.15.72
• 5.15.73
• 5.15.74
• 5.15.75
• 5.15.76
• 5.15.77
• 5.15.78
• 5.15.79
• 5.15.80
• 5.15.81
• 5.15.82
• 5.15.83
• 5.15.84
• 5.15.85
• 5.15.86
• 5.15.87
• 5.15.88
• 5.15.89
• 5.15.90
• 6.1.0
• 6.1.1
• 6.1.2
• 6.1.3
• 6.1.4
• 6.1.5
• 6.1.6
• 6.1.7
• 6.1.8

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

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CPE 2.2info

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Exploitinginfo

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Entryinfo

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