Linux Kernel up to 6.3.12/6.4.3 clk clk-mtk.c mtk_clk_simple_probe memory leak

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability categorized as critical has been discovered in Linux Kernel up to 6.3.12/6.4.3. This affects the function mtk_clk_simple_probe of the file drivers/clk/mediatek/clk-mtk.c of the component clk. Such manipulation leads to memory leak. This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-2023-53424. No exploit is available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.3.12/6.4.3. Affected by this issue is the function mtk_clk_simple_probe of the file drivers/clk/mediatek/clk-mtk.c of the component clk. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory leak vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-401. The product does not sufficiently track and release allocated memory after it has been used, which slowly consumes remaining memory. Impacted is availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: clk: mediatek: fix of_iomap memory leak Smatch reports: drivers/clk/mediatek/clk-mtk.c:583 mtk_clk_simple_probe() warn: 'base' from of_iomap() not released on lines: 496. This problem was also found in linux-next. In mtk_clk_simple_probe(), base is not released when handling errors if clk_data is not existed, which may cause a leak. So free_base should be added here to release base.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2023-53424 since 09/17/2025. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 265524 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2023-53424), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.3.13 or 6.4.4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 2cae6a28d8c12c597e8656962271520434c61c48/47234e19b00816a8a7b278c7173f6d4e928c43c7/3db7285e044144fd88a356f5b641b9cd4b231a77 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 (265524) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2092). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Affected

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

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 6.3.0
• 6.3.1
• 6.3.2
• 6.3.3
• 6.3.4
• 6.3.5
• 6.3.6
• 6.3.7
• 6.3.8
• 6.3.9
• 6.3.10
• 6.3.11
• 6.3.12
• 6.4.0
• 6.4.1
• 6.4.2
• 6.4.3

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

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CPE 2.2info

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Entryinfo

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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