Linux Kernel up to 6.3.3 Bluetooth l2cap_disconnect_rsp null pointer dereference

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.3.3. This affects the function l2cap_disconnect_rsp of the component Bluetooth. The manipulation leads to null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-2023-53297. No exploit is available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.3.3 and classified as critical. This issue affects the function l2cap_disconnect_rsp of the component Bluetooth. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-476. A NULL pointer dereference occurs when the application dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid, but is NULL, typically causing a crash or exit. Impacted is availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: Bluetooth: L2CAP: fix "bad unlock balance" in l2cap_disconnect_rsp conn->chan_lock isn't acquired before l2cap_get_chan_by_scid, if l2cap_get_chan_by_scid returns NULL, then 'bad unlock balance' is triggered.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2023-53297 since 09/16/2025. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 265220 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2023-53297), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 4.14.316, 4.19.284, 5.4.244, 5.10.181, 5.15.113, 6.1.30 or 6.3.4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 5f352a56f0e607e6ff539cbf12156bfd8af232be/6a27762340ad08643de3bc17fe1646ea489ca2e2/2112c4c47d36bc5aba3ddeb9afedce6ae6a67e7d/55410a9144c76ecda126e6cdec556dfcd8f343b2/116b9c002c894097adc2b8684db2d1da4229ed46/fd269a0435f8e9943b7a57c5a59688848d42d449/5134556c9be582793f30695c09d18a26fe1ff2d7/25e97f7b1866e6b8503be349eeea44bb52d661ce 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 databases at Tenable (265220) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2053). If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

Affected

  • Debian Linux
  • Amazon Linux 2
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Ubuntu Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • IBM QRadar SIEM
  • SUSE openSUSE
  • Open Source Linux Kernel
  • RESF Rocky Linux
  • Dell Secure Connect Gateway
  • F5 F5OS

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.5

VulDB Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Temp Score: 5.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Null pointer dereference
CWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 265220
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2023-53297

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 4.14.316/4.19.284/5.4.244/5.10.181/5.15.113/6.1.30/6.3.4
Patch: 5f352a56f0e607e6ff539cbf12156bfd8af232be/6a27762340ad08643de3bc17fe1646ea489ca2e2/2112c4c47d36bc5aba3ddeb9afedce6ae6a67e7d/55410a9144c76ecda126e6cdec556dfcd8f343b2/116b9c002c894097adc2b8684db2d1da4229ed46/fd269a0435f8e9943b7a57c5a59688848d42d449/5134556c9be582793f30695c09d18a26fe1ff2d7/25e97f7b1866e6b8503be349eeea44bb52d661ce

Timelineinfo

09/16/2025 Advisory disclosed
09/16/2025 +0 days CVE reserved
09/16/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
01/11/2026 +117 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-53297 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-53297
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-324365
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2053 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 09/16/2025 13:54
Updated: 01/11/2026 11:20
Changes: 09/16/2025 13:54 (59), 09/19/2025 19:46 (2), 12/03/2025 04:12 (10), 01/02/2026 12:54 (7), 01/11/2026 11:20 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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