CVE-2023-53189
Unknown Unknown - Not Provided
BaseFortify

Publication date: 2025-09-15

Last updated on: 2025-12-02

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ipv6/addrconf: fix a potential refcount underflow for idev Now in addrconf_mod_rs_timer(), reference idev depends on whether rs_timer is not pending. Then modify rs_timer timeout. There is a time gap in [1], during which if the pending rs_timer becomes not pending. It will miss to hold idev, but the rs_timer is activated. Thus rs_timer callback function addrconf_rs_timer() will be executed and put idev later without holding idev. A refcount underflow issue for idev can be caused by this. if (!timer_pending(&idev->rs_timer)) in6_dev_hold(idev); <--------------[1] mod_timer(&idev->rs_timer, jiffies + when); To fix the issue, hold idev if mod_timer() return 0.
CVSS Scores
EPSS Scores
Probability:
Percentile:
Meta Information
Published
2025-09-15
Last Modified
2025-12-02
Generated
2026-05-07
AI Q&A
2025-09-15
EPSS Evaluated
2026-05-05
NVD
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 8 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux linux_kernel From 3.10.105 (inc) to 4.14.322 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 4.15 (inc) to 4.19.291 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 4.20 (inc) to 5.4.251 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 5.5 (inc) to 5.10.188 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 5.11 (inc) to 5.15.121 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 5.16 (inc) to 6.1.40 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.2 (inc) to 6.4.5 (exc)
linux linux_kernel 6.5
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
CWE
CWE Icon
KEV
KEV Icon
CWE ID Description
CWE-191 The product subtracts one value from another, such that the result is less than the minimum allowable integer value, which produces a value that is not equal to the correct result.
Attack-Flow Graph
AI Powered Q&A
Can you explain this vulnerability to me?

This vulnerability is a reference count underflow issue in the Linux kernel's IPv6 address configuration code (addrconf). Specifically, in the function addrconf_mod_rs_timer(), there is a timing gap where the reference count for an internal device structure (idev) may be decremented without being properly held. This happens if a timer (rs_timer) changes state from pending to not pending, causing the callback function addrconf_rs_timer() to run and decrement the reference count without holding idev, leading to a refcount underflow.


How can this vulnerability impact me? :

The impact of this vulnerability is that it can cause a reference count underflow in the Linux kernel's IPv6 address configuration code. This may lead to memory corruption or instability in the kernel, potentially causing system crashes or unpredictable behavior, which could affect system reliability and security.


Ask Our AI Assistant
Need more information? Ask your question to get an AI reply (Powered by our expertise)
0/70
EPSS Chart