Linux Kernel up to 5.15.120 netlink_set_err deadlock

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4.6$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as critical has been identified in Linux Kernel up to 4.14.321/4.19.290/5.4.250/5.10.187/5.15.120. This vulnerability affects the function netlink_set_err. The manipulation results in deadlock. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2023-53731. There is not any exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Linux Kernel up to 4.14.321/4.19.290/5.4.250/5.10.187/5.15.120. Affected is the function netlink_set_err. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a deadlock vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-833. The product contains multiple threads or executable segments that are waiting for each other to release a necessary lock, resulting in deadlock. This is going to have an impact on availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netlink: fix potential deadlock in netlink_set_err() syzbot reported a possible deadlock in netlink_set_err() [1] A similar issue was fixed in commit 1d482e666b8e ("netlink: disable IRQs for netlink_lock_table()") in netlink_lock_table() This patch adds IRQ safety to netlink_set_err() and __netlink_diag_dump() which were not covered by cited commit. [1] WARNING: possible irq lock inversion dependency detected 6.4.0-rc6-syzkaller-00240-g4e9f0ec38852 #0 Not tainted syz-executor.2/23011 just changed the state of lock: ffffffff8e1a7a58 (nl_table_lock){.+.?}-{2:2}, at: netlink_set_err+0x2e/0x3a0 net/netlink/af_netlink.c:1612 but this lock was taken by another, SOFTIRQ-safe lock in the past: (&local->queue_stop_reason_lock){..-.}-{2:2} and interrupts could create inverse lock ordering between them. other info that might help us debug this: Possible interrupt unsafe locking scenario: CPU0 CPU1 ---- ---- lock(nl_table_lock); local_irq_disable(); lock(&local->queue_stop_reason_lock); lock(nl_table_lock); lock(&local->queue_stop_reason_lock); *** DEADLOCK ***

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2023-53731 since 10/22/2025. The exploitability is told to be difficult. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 319313 (EulerOS Virtualization 2.10.0 : kernel (EulerOS-SA-2026-2049)), 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 c09e8e3f7fd432984bf5422302b093d2371dfc48/4b9adb8d4a62ff7608d4a7d4eb42036a88f30980/8f6652ed2ad98fe6d13b903483d9257762ab2ec6/cde7b90e0539a3b11da377e463dfd2288a162dbf/a641240b7e071c5538dc0e7894ece833fce459dd/61ffe8b1ee084e5c82a4e4bbf9e7b68e0c06e464/eb8e27c8fa9397b4a7b181c48fa58157dbe9902e/1556ba034b95cfd4f75ea93c1a2679ae0444bba1/8d61f926d42045961e6b65191c09e3678d86a9cf 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 (319313) and 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

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Website

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

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Deadlock
CWE: CWE-833 / 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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Nessus ID: 319313
Nessus Name: EulerOS Virtualization 2.10.0 : kernel (EulerOS-SA-2026-2049)

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: c09e8e3f7fd432984bf5422302b093d2371dfc48/4b9adb8d4a62ff7608d4a7d4eb42036a88f30980/8f6652ed2ad98fe6d13b903483d9257762ab2ec6/cde7b90e0539a3b11da377e463dfd2288a162dbf/a641240b7e071c5538dc0e7894ece833fce459dd/61ffe8b1ee084e5c82a4e4bbf9e7b68e0c06e464/eb8e27c8fa9397b4a7b181c48fa58157dbe9902e/1556ba034b95cfd4f75ea93c1a2679ae0444bba1/8d61f926d42045961e6b65191c09e3678d86a9cf

Timelineinfo

10/22/2025 Advisory disclosed
10/22/2025 +0 days CVE reserved
10/22/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
06/08/2026 +228 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-53731 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-53731
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-329376
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2394 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 10/22/2025 17:54
Updated: 06/08/2026 01:26
Changes: 10/22/2025 17:54 (58), 01/02/2026 09:55 (7), 02/28/2026 17:16 (1), 06/08/2026 01:26 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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