Linux Kernel up to 6.5.4 ibmebus_bus_init reference count

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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5.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.5.4. It has been classified as critical. Affected is the function ibmebus_bus_init. This manipulation causes reference count. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2023-54017. There is not any exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.5.4 and classified as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function ibmebus_bus_init. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a reference count vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-911. The product uses a reference count to manage a resource, but it does not update or incorrectly updates the reference count. As an impact it is known to affect availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: powerpc/pseries: fix possible memory leak in ibmebus_bus_init() If device_register() returns error in ibmebus_bus_init(), name of kobject which is allocated in dev_set_name() called in device_add() is leaked. As comment of device_add() says, it should call put_device() to drop the reference count that was set in device_initialize() when it fails, so the name can be freed in kobject_cleanup().

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2023-54017 since 12/24/2025. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 280046 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2023-54017), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 4.14.326, 4.19.295, 5.4.257, 5.10.197, 5.15.133, 6.1.55 or 6.5.5 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch e4ff88548defafb1ef84facd9856ec252da7b008/3cc4c2f6c266fe5b33a7fa797f31e8b3f06ce58c/7ffe14fce7425c32e735bdc44bce425f18976a49/9f3b2b666833ebef6d0ce5a40e189f38e70342a1/d35e7ae10eb8917883da2a0b1823c620a1be42d6/96f27ff732208dce6468016e7a7d5032bd1bfc23/ebd8dc974fcc59e2851a0d89ee7935b55142dc8e/afda85b963c12947e298ad85d757e333aa40fd74 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 (280046) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2920). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Open Source Linux Kernel

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.5

VulDB Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Temp Score: 5.5
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: Reference count
CWE: CWE-911 / CWE-664
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: 280046
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2023-54017

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 4.14.326/4.19.295/5.4.257/5.10.197/5.15.133/6.1.55/6.5.5
Patch: e4ff88548defafb1ef84facd9856ec252da7b008/3cc4c2f6c266fe5b33a7fa797f31e8b3f06ce58c/7ffe14fce7425c32e735bdc44bce425f18976a49/9f3b2b666833ebef6d0ce5a40e189f38e70342a1/d35e7ae10eb8917883da2a0b1823c620a1be42d6/96f27ff732208dce6468016e7a7d5032bd1bfc23/ebd8dc974fcc59e2851a0d89ee7935b55142dc8e/afda85b963c12947e298ad85d757e333aa40fd74

Timelineinfo

12/24/2025 Advisory disclosed
12/24/2025 +0 days CVE reserved
12/24/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
12/27/2025 +3 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-54017 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-54017
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-338161
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2920 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 12/24/2025 15:21
Updated: 12/27/2025 03:59
Changes: 12/24/2025 15:21 (58), 12/25/2025 08:57 (7), 12/27/2025 03:59 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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