Linux Kernel up to 6.4.6 decode_message integer overflow

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.4.6 and classified as critical. This impacts the function decode_message. The manipulation results in integer overflow. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2023-53493. No exploit is available. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.4.6. Affected is the function decode_message. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a integer overflow vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-190. The product performs a calculation that can produce an integer overflow or wraparound, when the logic assumes that the resulting value will always be larger than the original value. This can introduce other weaknesses when the calculation is used for resource management or execution control. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: accel/qaic: tighten bounds checking in decode_message() Copy the bounds checking from encode_message() to decode_message(). This patch addresses the following concerns. Ensure that there is enough space for at least one header so that we don't have a negative size later. if (msg_hdr_len < sizeof(*trans_hdr)) Ensure that we have enough space to read the next header from the msg->data. if (msg_len > msg_hdr_len - sizeof(*trans_hdr)) return -EINVAL; Check that the trans_hdr->len is not below the minimum size: if (hdr_len < sizeof(*trans_hdr)) This minimum check ensures that we don't corrupt memory in decode_passthrough() when we do. memcpy(out_trans->data, in_trans->data, len - sizeof(in_trans->hdr)); And finally, use size_add() to prevent an integer overflow: if (size_add(msg_len, hdr_len) > msg_hdr_len)

The advisory is available at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2023-53493 since 10/01/2025. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit. The structure of the vulnerability defines a possible price range of USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 01/17/2026).

Upgrading to version 6.4.7 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 57d14cb3bae4619ce2fb5235cb318c3d5d8f53fd/51b56382ed2a2b03347372272362b3baa623ed1e 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 EUVD (EUVD-2025-32790) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2187). 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
• Open Source Linux Kernel
• Dell Secure Connect Gateway

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 6.4.0
• 6.4.1
• 6.4.2
• 6.4.3
• 6.4.4
• 6.4.5
• 6.4.6

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

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Entryinfo

If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

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