Linux Kernel up to 6.4.3 pcie_link_state use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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7.7$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.4.3. It has been declared as critical. The affected element is the function pcie_link_state. Executing a manipulation can lead to use after free. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2023-53446. There is not any exploit available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.4.3. This vulnerability affects the function pcie_link_state. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: PCI/ASPM: Disable ASPM on MFD function removal to avoid use-after-free Struct pcie_link_state->downstream is a pointer to the pci_dev of function 0. Previously we retained that pointer when removing function 0, and subsequent ASPM policy changes dereferenced it, resulting in a use-after-free warning from KASAN, e.g.: # echo 1 > /sys/bus/pci/devices/0000:03:00.0/remove # echo powersave > /sys/module/pcie_aspm/parameters/policy BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in pcie_config_aspm_link+0x42d/0x500 Call Trace: kasan_report+0xae/0xe0 pcie_config_aspm_link+0x42d/0x500 pcie_aspm_set_policy+0x8e/0x1a0 param_attr_store+0x162/0x2c0 module_attr_store+0x3e/0x80 PCIe spec r6.0, sec 7.5.3.7, recommends that software program the same ASPM Control value in all functions of multi-function devices. Disable ASPM and free the pcie_link_state when any child function is removed so we can discard the dangling pcie_link_state->downstream pointer and maintain the same ASPM Control configuration for all functions. [bhelgaas: commit log and comment]

The advisory is available at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2023-53446 since 09/17/2025. The exploitation appears to be easy. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit. The structure of the vulnerability defines a possible price range of USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 12/13/2025).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 265521 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2023-53446), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 5.4.251, 5.10.188, 5.15.121, 6.1.39, 6.3.13 or 6.4.4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 666e7f9d60cee23077ea3e6331f6f8a19f7ea03f/7badf4d6f49a358a01ab072bbff88d3ee886c33b/9856c0de49052174ab474113f4ba40c02aaee086/7aecdd47910c51707696e8b0e045b9f88bd4230f/d51d2eeae4ce54d542909c4d9d07bf371a78592c/4203722d51afe3d239e03f15cc73efdf023a7103/456d8aa37d0f56fc9e985e812496e861dcd6f2f2 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 (265521) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2092). If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

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

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.7

VulDB Base Score: 8.0
VulDB Temp Score: 7.6
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.8
NVD Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Use after free
CWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
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: 265521
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2023-53446

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 5.4.251/5.10.188/5.15.121/6.1.39/6.3.13/6.4.4
Patch: 666e7f9d60cee23077ea3e6331f6f8a19f7ea03f/7badf4d6f49a358a01ab072bbff88d3ee886c33b/9856c0de49052174ab474113f4ba40c02aaee086/7aecdd47910c51707696e8b0e045b9f88bd4230f/d51d2eeae4ce54d542909c4d9d07bf371a78592c/4203722d51afe3d239e03f15cc73efdf023a7103/456d8aa37d0f56fc9e985e812496e861dcd6f2f2

Timelineinfo

09/17/2025 CVE reserved
09/18/2025 +1 days Advisory disclosed
09/18/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
12/13/2025 +86 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-53446 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-53446
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-324946
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2092 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Denial of Service

Entryinfo

Created: 09/18/2025 19:25
Updated: 12/13/2025 04:25
Changes: 09/18/2025 19:25 (58), 09/20/2025 20:46 (7), 09/22/2025 03:49 (2), 11/29/2025 20:09 (1), 12/13/2025 04:25 (11)
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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