Linux Kernel up to 6.1.53/6.5.3 ext4 ext4_fname_setup_filename memory leak

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.53/6.5.3. It has been rated as critical. The affected element is the function ext4_fname_setup_filename of the component ext4. The manipulation leads to memory leak. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2023-53662. There is no exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.53/6.5.3. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects the function ext4_fname_setup_filename of the component ext4. 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. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ext4: fix memory leaks in ext4_fname_{setup_filename,prepare_lookup} If the filename casefolding fails, we'll be leaking memory from the fscrypt_name struct, namely from the 'crypto_buf.name' member. Make sure we free it in the error path on both ext4_fname_setup_filename() and ext4_fname_prepare_lookup() functions.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2023-53662 since 10/07/2025. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 303082 (Amazon Linux 2 : kernel, --advisory ALAS2KERNEL-5.15-2026-099 (ALASKERNEL-5.15-2026-099)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.1.54 or 6.5.4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 1fb3f1bbfdb511034b0360dbeb0f6a8424ed2a5c/36daf050be3f6f067631dc52054de2d3b7cc849f/7ca4b085f430f3774c3838b3da569ceccd6a0177 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 (303082), EUVD (EUVD-2025-31971) 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

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Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

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

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory leak
CWE: CWE-401 / CWE-404
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: 303082
Nessus Name: Amazon Linux 2 : kernel, --advisory ALAS2KERNEL-5.15-2026-099 (ALASKERNEL-5.15-2026-099)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.1.54/6.5.4
Patch: 1fb3f1bbfdb511034b0360dbeb0f6a8424ed2a5c/36daf050be3f6f067631dc52054de2d3b7cc849f/7ca4b085f430f3774c3838b3da569ceccd6a0177

Timelineinfo

10/07/2025 Advisory disclosed
10/07/2025 +0 days CVE reserved
10/07/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
03/23/2026 +167 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-53662 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-53662
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-327509
EUVD: 🔒
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2229 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 10/07/2025 19:30
Updated: 03/23/2026 22:03
Changes: 10/07/2025 19:30 (59), 11/23/2025 03:27 (7), 12/26/2025 00:10 (1), 02/03/2026 23:00 (10), 02/04/2026 06:30 (1), 03/01/2026 12:32 (1), 03/23/2026 22:03 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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