Linux Kernel up to 6.1.28/6.2.15/6.3.2 drm_mode_config_init memory leak

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.28/6.2.15/6.3.2. This impacts the function drm_mode_config_init. The manipulation results in memory leak. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2023-53849. No exploit exists. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.28/6.2.15/6.3.2. Affected is the function drm_mode_config_init. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory leak vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-401. The product does not sufficiently track and release allocated memory after it has been used, which slowly consumes remaining memory. This is going to have an impact on availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: drm/msm: fix workqueue leak on bind errors Make sure to destroy the workqueue also in case of early errors during bind (e.g. a subcomponent failing to bind). Since commit c3b790ea07a1 ("drm: Manage drm_mode_config_init with drmm_") the mode config will be freed when the drm device is released also when using the legacy interface, but add an explicit cleanup for consistency and to facilitate backporting. Patchwork: https://patchwork.freedesktop.org/patch/525093/

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2023-53849 since 12/09/2025. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

Upgrading to version 6.1.29, 6.2.16 or 6.3.3 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 6e1476225ec02eeebc4b79f793506f80bc4bca8f/28e34db2f3e0130872e2384dd9df9f82bd89e967/8551c4b7c8ffb42f759547e5c39da5980abf2432/a75b49db6529b2af049eafd938fae888451c3685 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-2025-2765). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 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
• 6.2.0
• 6.2.1
• 6.2.2
• 6.2.3
• 6.2.4
• 6.2.5
• 6.2.6
• 6.2.7
• 6.2.8
• 6.2.9
• 6.2.10
• 6.2.11
• 6.2.12
• 6.2.13
• 6.2.14
• 6.2.15
• 6.3.0
• 6.3.1
• 6.3.2

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

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Entryinfo

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

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