VDB-329344 · CVE-2023-53720 · WID-SEC-2025-2394

Linux Kernel up to 6.3.1 mlx5e __kmalloc memory leak

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4.6	$0-$5k	0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability categorized as critical has been discovered in Linux Kernel up to 6.3.1. This issue affects the function __kmalloc of the component mlx5e. Executing a manipulation can lead to memory leak. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2023-53720. There is no exploit available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.3.1. It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects the function __kmalloc of the component mlx5e. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory leak vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-401. The product does not sufficiently track and release allocated memory after it has been used, which slowly consumes remaining memory. As an impact it is known to affect availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net/mlx5e: Release the label when replacing existing ct entry Cited commit doesn't release the label mapping when replacing existing ct entry which leads to following memleak report: unreferenced object 0xffff8881854cf280 (size 96): comm "kworker/u48:74", pid 23093, jiffies 4296664564 (age 175.944s) hex dump (first 32 bytes): 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................ 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................ backtrace: [] __kmalloc+0x4b/0x1c0 [] mapping_add+0x6e8/0xc90 [mlx5_core] [] mlx5_get_label_mapping+0x66/0xe0 [mlx5_core] [] mlx5_tc_ct_entry_create_mod_hdr+0x1c4/0xf50 [mlx5_core] [] mlx5_tc_ct_entry_add_rule+0x16f/0xaf0 [mlx5_core] [] mlx5_tc_ct_block_flow_offload_add+0x10cb/0x1f90 [mlx5_core] [] mlx5_tc_ct_block_flow_offload+0x14a/0x630 [mlx5_core] [] nf_flow_offload_tuple+0x1a3/0x390 [nf_flow_table] [] flow_offload_work_handler+0x257/0xd30 [nf_flow_table] [] process_one_work+0x7c2/0x13e0 [] worker_thread+0x59d/0xec0 [] kthread+0x28f/0x330 [] ret_from_fork+0x1f/0x30 Fix the issue by correctly releasing the label mapping.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2023-53720 since 10/22/2025. The exploitation appears to be difficult. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

Upgrading to version 6.3.2 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 3db903a71f1f4bbf30baae166a4a49f2e8aceb61/8ac04a28144cfa89b61be518268233742c23d88d 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-2025-2394). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Affected

Red Hat Enterprise Linux
SUSE Linux
Oracle Linux
Open Source Linux Kernel
Dell NetWorker

Productinfo

Type

Operating System

Vendor

Linux

Name

Kernel

Version

License

open-source

Website

Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 4.8
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.6

VulDB Base Score: 4.8
VulDB Temp Score: 4.6
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AV	AC	Au	C	I	A
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳

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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: No
Local: No
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.3.2
Patch: 3db903a71f1f4bbf30baae166a4a49f2e8aceb61/8ac04a28144cfa89b61be518268233742c23d88d

Timelineinfo

10/22/2025 Advisory disclosed
10/22/2025 +0 days CVE reserved
10/22/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
02/28/2026 +129 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-53720 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-53720
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-329344
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2394 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 10/22/2025 16:37
Updated: 02/28/2026 13:15
Changes: 10/22/2025 16:37 (59), 01/02/2026 06:45 (7), 02/28/2026 13:15 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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