Linux Kernel up to 5.15.120/6.1.38/6.3.12/6.4.3 clk list_for_each_entry_safe use after free

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability categorized as critical has been discovered in Linux Kernel up to 5.15.120/6.1.38/6.3.12/6.4.3. This affects the function list_for_each_entry_safe of the component clk. Such manipulation leads to use after free. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2023-53572. There is no exploit available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 5.15.120/6.1.38/6.3.12/6.4.3. It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is the function list_for_each_entry_safe of the component clk. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: clk: imx: scu: use _safe list iterator to avoid a use after free This loop is freeing "clk" so it needs to use list_for_each_entry_safe(). Otherwise it dereferences a freed variable to get the next item on the loop.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2023-53572 since 10/04/2025. The exploitation is known to be easy. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $5k-$25k (estimation calculated on 03/02/2026).

Upgrading to version 5.15.121, 6.1.39, 6.3.13 or 6.4.4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch f95ff838ac39f861d1f95a0f3bbb1e01c2517d79/08cc7cd2c2a29a2abf5bceb8f048c0734d3694ba/3d90921f91fc6a8c801d527bb5848c99e335c1cf/0a719f0e4b6f233979e219baff73923e76a96e09/632c60ecd25dbacee54d5581fe3aeb834b57010a 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-2023-60036) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2194). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Affected

• Google Container-Optimized OS
• Debian Linux
• Google Cloud Platform
• Amazon Linux 2
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux
• Ubuntu Linux
• SUSE Linux
• Oracle Linux
• SUSE openSUSE
• Open Source Linux Kernel
• RESF Rocky Linux
• NetApp ActiveIQ Unified Manager
• IBM QRadar SIEM
• Dell NetWorker

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 5.15.120
• 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
• 6.1.18
• 6.1.19
• 6.1.20
• 6.1.21
• 6.1.22
• 6.1.23
• 6.1.24
• 6.1.25
• 6.1.26
• 6.1.27
• 6.1.28
• 6.1.29
• 6.1.30
• 6.1.31
• 6.1.32
• 6.1.33
• 6.1.34
• 6.1.35
• 6.1.36
• 6.1.37
• 6.1.38
• 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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Entryinfo

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

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