Linux Kernel up to 6.4.7 thermal thermal_zone_device_register double 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 6.4.7. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects the function thermal_zone_device_register of the component thermal. The manipulation leads to double free. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2023-53997. No exploit exists. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.4.7. This issue affects the function thermal_zone_device_register of the component thermal. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a double free vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-415. The product calls free() twice on the same memory address, potentially leading to modification of unexpected memory locations. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: thermal: of: fix double-free on unregistration Since commit 3d439b1a2ad3 ("thermal/core: Alloc-copy-free the thermal zone parameters structure"), thermal_zone_device_register() allocates a copy of the tzp argument and frees it when unregistering, so thermal_of_zone_register() now ends up leaking its original tzp and double-freeing the tzp copy. Fix this by locating tzp on stack instead.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2023-53997 since 12/24/2025. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 02/25/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 279954 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2023-53997), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.4.8 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch adce49089412a9ae28f5c666e0bb12fbcd86b3f7/ac4436a5b20e0ef1f608a9ef46c08d5d142f8da6 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 (279954) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2920). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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: Double free
CWE: CWE-415 / 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: 279954
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2023-53997

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.4.8
Patch: adce49089412a9ae28f5c666e0bb12fbcd86b3f7/ac4436a5b20e0ef1f608a9ef46c08d5d142f8da6

Timelineinfo

12/24/2025 Advisory disclosed
12/24/2025 +0 days CVE reserved
12/24/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
02/25/2026 +63 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-53997 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-53997
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-338177
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2920 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 12/24/2025 15:24
Updated: 02/25/2026 08:45
Changes: 12/24/2025 15:24 (59), 12/24/2025 22:44 (7), 12/26/2025 07:47 (2), 01/30/2026 03:44 (1), 02/25/2026 08:45 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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