Linux Kernel up to 6.4.3 __bch_btree_node_alloc null pointer dereference

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability marked as critical has been reported in Linux Kernel up to 6.4.3. This affects the function __bch_btree_node_alloc. The manipulation leads to null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2023-53681. No exploit exists. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.4.3. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects the function __bch_btree_node_alloc. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to 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. Impacted is availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bcache: Fix __bch_btree_node_alloc to make the failure behavior consistent In some specific situations, the return value of __bch_btree_node_alloc may be NULL. This may lead to a potential NULL pointer dereference in caller function like a calling chain : btree_split->bch_btree_node_alloc->__bch_btree_node_alloc. Fix it by initializing the return value in __bch_btree_node_alloc.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2023-53681 since 10/07/2025. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

Upgrading to version 4.19.291, 5.4.253, 5.10.188, 5.15.121, 6.1.39 or 6.4.4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 587b4e8bb5dac682f09280ab35db4632b29d5ac4/b070f29a61436f6f8a2e3abc7ea4f4be81695198/a4405f6ee03323410d7b10966fd67b35f71b1944/f67b0e3081f2a24170280a33ac66f6b112083c03/7ecea5ce3dc17339c280c75b58ac93d8c8620d9f/4514847aee18d9391a0cf3aad75d3567c72795a4/80fca8a10b604afad6c14213fdfd816c4eda3ee4 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 vulnerability database at CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2229). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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

• 4.19.290
• 5.4.252
• 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
• 6.4.0
• 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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Entryinfo

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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