Linux Kernel up to 6.4.3 ALSA ac97_codec.c snd_ac97_mixer null pointer dereference

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5.5	$0-$5k	0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.4.3. This impacts the function snd_ac97_mixer of the file sound/pci/ac97/ac97_codec.c of the component ALSA. Performing a manipulation results in null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2023-53648. There is not any exploit available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.4.3. This affects the function snd_ac97_mixer of the file sound/pci/ac97/ac97_codec.c of the component ALSA. The manipulation 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: ALSA: ac97: Fix possible NULL dereference in snd_ac97_mixer smatch error: sound/pci/ac97/ac97_codec.c:2354 snd_ac97_mixer() error: we previously assumed 'rac97' could be null (see line 2072) remove redundant assignment, return error if rac97 is NULL.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2023-53648 since 10/07/2025. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 276910 (SUSE SLES12 Security Update : kernel (SUSE-SU-2025:4189-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 4.14.322, 4.19.291, 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 809af7bb4219bdeef0dbb8b2ed700d6516d13fe9/e4cccff1e7ab6ea30995b6fbbb007d02647e025c/5f13d67027fa782096e6aee0db5dce61c4aeb613/f923a582217b198b557756809ffe42ac0fad6adb/300e26e3e64880de5013eac8831cf44387ef752c/d28b83252e150155b8b8c65b612c555e93c8b45f/09baf460dfba79ee6a0c72e68ccdbbba84d894df/228da1fa124470606ac19783e551f9d51a1e01b0/79597c8bf64ca99eab385115743131d260339da5 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 (276910) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2229). If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

Affected

• Amazon Linux 2
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux
• SUSE Linux
• Oracle Linux
• RESF Rocky Linux
• Open Source Linux Kernel
• IBM QRadar SIEM
• Dell NetWorker

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 4.14.321
• 4.19.290
• 5.4.250
• 5.10.187
• 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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CPE 2.2info

• 🔒
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CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.5

VulDB Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Temp Score: 5.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

AV	AC	Au	C	I	A
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💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
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Vector	Complexity	Authentication	Confidentiality	Integrity	Availability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Null pointer dereference
CWE: CWE-476 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

0-Day	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Today	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

Nessus ID: 276910
Nessus Name: SUSE SLES12 Security Update : kernel (SUSE-SU-2025:4189-1)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 4.14.322/4.19.291/5.4.251/5.10.188/5.15.121/6.1.39/6.3.13/6.4.4
Patch: 809af7bb4219bdeef0dbb8b2ed700d6516d13fe9/e4cccff1e7ab6ea30995b6fbbb007d02647e025c/5f13d67027fa782096e6aee0db5dce61c4aeb613/f923a582217b198b557756809ffe42ac0fad6adb/300e26e3e64880de5013eac8831cf44387ef752c/d28b83252e150155b8b8c65b612c555e93c8b45f/09baf460dfba79ee6a0c72e68ccdbbba84d894df/228da1fa124470606ac19783e551f9d51a1e01b0/79597c8bf64ca99eab385115743131d260339da5

Timelineinfo

10/07/2025 Advisory disclosed
10/07/2025 +0 days CVE reserved
10/07/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
03/01/2026 +145 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-53648 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-53648
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-327501
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2229 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 10/07/2025 19:29
Updated: 03/01/2026 11:50
Changes: 10/07/2025 19:29 (60), 11/23/2025 02:25 (7), 11/27/2025 23:16 (2), 12/24/2025 13:08 (1), 02/04/2026 00:15 (10), 03/01/2026 11:50 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

Discussion

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