CVE-2023-53199
Unknown Unknown - Not Provided
BaseFortify

Publication date: 2025-09-15

Last updated on: 2025-12-03

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: ath9k: hif_usb: clean up skbs if ath9k_hif_usb_rx_stream() fails Syzkaller detected a memory leak of skbs in ath9k_hif_usb_rx_stream(). While processing skbs in ath9k_hif_usb_rx_stream(), the already allocated skbs in skb_pool are not freed if ath9k_hif_usb_rx_stream() fails. If we have an incorrect pkt_len or pkt_tag, the input skb is considered invalid and dropped. All the associated packets already in skb_pool should be dropped and freed. Added a comment describing this issue. The patch also makes remain_skb NULL after being processed so that it cannot be referenced after potential free. The initialization of hif_dev fields which are associated with remain_skb (rx_remain_len, rx_transfer_len and rx_pad_len) is moved after a new remain_skb is allocated. Found by Linux Verification Center (linuxtesting.org) with Syzkaller.
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Meta Information
Published
2025-09-15
Last Modified
2025-12-03
Generated
2026-06-16
AI Q&A
2025-09-15
EPSS Evaluated
2026-06-14
NVD
CVE-2023-53199
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 6 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux linux_kernel From 2.6.38 (inc) to 4.19.276 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 4.20 (inc) to 5.4.235 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 5.5 (inc) to 5.10.173 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 5.11 (inc) to 5.15.99 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 5.16 (inc) to 6.1.16 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.2 (inc) to 6.2.3 (exc)
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Exploitability
CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-772 The product does not release a resource after its effective lifetime has ended, i.e., after the resource is no longer needed.
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Executive Summary

This vulnerability is a memory leak in the Linux kernel's ath9k wireless driver, specifically in the hif_usb component. When the function ath9k_hif_usb_rx_stream() fails due to invalid input packets (incorrect pkt_len or pkt_tag), the already allocated socket buffers (skbs) in the skb_pool are not freed properly, causing a memory leak. The patch fixes this by ensuring all associated packets are freed when a failure occurs and prevents use-after-free errors by setting pointers to NULL after processing.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability can lead to a memory leak in the Linux kernel's wireless driver, which may cause increased memory usage and potentially degrade system performance or stability over time. In severe cases, it could lead to denial of service if the system runs out of memory due to unreleased buffers.

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