Linux Kernel up to 6.1.17/6.2.4 ipi irq_data_get_affinity_mask data null pointer dereference

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as critical has been detected in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.17/6.2.4. Affected is the function irq_data_get_affinity_mask of the component ipi. Performing a manipulation of the argument data results in null pointer dereference. This vulnerability was named CVE-2023-53332. There is no available exploit. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.17/6.2.4. This affects the function irq_data_get_affinity_mask of the component ipi. The manipulation of the argument data with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as 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. This is going to have an impact on availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: genirq/ipi: Fix NULL pointer deref in irq_data_get_affinity_mask() If ipi_send_{mask|single}() is called with an invalid interrupt number, all the local variables there will be NULL. ipi_send_verify() which is invoked from these functions does verify its 'data' parameter, resulting in a kernel oops in irq_data_get_affinity_mask() as the passed NULL pointer gets dereferenced. Add a missing NULL pointer check in ipi_send_verify()... Found by Linux Verification Center (linuxtesting.org) with the SVACE static analysis tool.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2023-53332 since 09/16/2025. The exploitability is told to be easy. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 265262 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2023-53332), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.1.18 or 6.2.5 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 926aef60ea64cd9becf2829f7388f48dbe8bcb11/7448c73d64075051f50caed2c62f46553b69ab8a/feabecaff5902f896531dde90646ca5dfa9d4f7d 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 (265262) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2077). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 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
• 6.1.9
• 6.1.10
• 6.1.11
• 6.1.12
• 6.1.13
• 6.1.14
• 6.1.15
• 6.1.16
• 6.1.17
• 6.2.0
• 6.2.1
• 6.2.2
• 6.2.3
• 6.2.4

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

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