Linux Kernel up to 6.3.3 nilfs2 nilfs_evict_inode use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.6$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.3.3 and classified as critical. Affected is the function nilfs_evict_inode of the component nilfs2. Such manipulation leads to use after free. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2023-53804. No exploit exists. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.3.3. Affected by this issue is the function nilfs_evict_inode of the component nilfs2. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: nilfs2: fix use-after-free bug of nilfs_root in nilfs_evict_inode() During unmount process of nilfs2, nothing holds nilfs_root structure after nilfs2 detaches its writer in nilfs_detach_log_writer(). However, since nilfs_evict_inode() uses nilfs_root for some cleanup operations, it may cause use-after-free read if inodes are left in "garbage_list" and released by nilfs_dispose_list() at the end of nilfs_detach_log_writer(). Fix this issue by modifying nilfs_evict_inode() to only clear inode without additional metadata changes that use nilfs_root if the file system is degraded to read-only or the writer is detached.

The advisory is available at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2023-53804 since 12/09/2025. The exploitation is known to be easy. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit. The structure of the vulnerability defines a possible price range of USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 03/29/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 278358 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2023-53804), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 4.14.316, 4.19.284, 5.4.244, 5.10.181, 5.15.113, 6.1.30 or 6.3.4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch f31e18131ee2ce80a4da5c808221d25b1ae9ad6d/2a782ea8ebd712a458466e3103e2881b4f886cb5/116d53f09ff52e6f98e3fe1f85d8898d6ba26c68/6b4205ea97901f822004e6c8d59484ccfda03faa/b8427b8522d9ede53015ba45a9978ba68d1162f5/acc2a40e428f12780004e1e9fce4722d88f909fd/fb8e8d58f116d069e5939e1f786ac84e7fa4533e/9b5a04ac3ad9898c4745cba46ea26de74ba56a8e 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 (278358) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2765). If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

Affected

  • Debian Linux
  • Amazon Linux 2
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Ubuntu Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • SUSE openSUSE
  • Open Source Linux Kernel
  • RESF Rocky Linux

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 8.0
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.6

VulDB Base Score: 8.0
VulDB Temp Score: 7.6
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: Use after free
CWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
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: 278358
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2023-53804

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 4.14.316/4.19.284/5.4.244/5.10.181/5.15.113/6.1.30/6.3.4
Patch: f31e18131ee2ce80a4da5c808221d25b1ae9ad6d/2a782ea8ebd712a458466e3103e2881b4f886cb5/116d53f09ff52e6f98e3fe1f85d8898d6ba26c68/6b4205ea97901f822004e6c8d59484ccfda03faa/b8427b8522d9ede53015ba45a9978ba68d1162f5/acc2a40e428f12780004e1e9fce4722d88f909fd/fb8e8d58f116d069e5939e1f786ac84e7fa4533e/9b5a04ac3ad9898c4745cba46ea26de74ba56a8e

Timelineinfo

12/09/2025 Advisory disclosed
12/09/2025 +0 days CVE reserved
12/09/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
03/29/2026 +110 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-53804 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-53804
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-334982
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2765 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Denial of Service

Entryinfo

Created: 12/09/2025 09:14
Updated: 03/29/2026 11:55
Changes: 12/09/2025 09:14 (59), 12/12/2025 04:09 (2), 03/29/2026 11:55 (7)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216:B6B:103

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