CVE-2023-53402
Unknown Unknown - Not Provided
BaseFortify

Publication date: 2025-09-18

Last updated on: 2025-12-12

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: kernel/printk/index.c: fix memory leak with using debugfs_lookup() When calling debugfs_lookup() the result must have dput() called on it, otherwise the memory will leak over time. To make things simpler, just call debugfs_lookup_and_remove() instead which handles all of the logic at once.
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Meta Information
Published
2025-09-18
Last Modified
2025-12-12
Generated
2026-05-27
AI Q&A
2025-09-18
EPSS Evaluated
2026-05-25
NVD
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 3 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux linux_kernel to 5.15.100 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 5.16 (inc) to 6.1.18 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.2 (inc) to 6.2.5 (exc)
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-401 The product does not sufficiently track and release allocated memory after it has been used, making the memory unavailable for reallocation and reuse.
Attack-Flow Graph
AI Powered Q&A
Can you explain this vulnerability to me?

This vulnerability is a memory leak in the Linux kernel related to the use of the debugfs_lookup() function. When debugfs_lookup() is called, the result must be properly released by calling dput() to avoid leaking memory over time. The fix involves using debugfs_lookup_and_remove() instead, which handles the necessary cleanup automatically.


How can this vulnerability impact me? :

The memory leak caused by improper handling of debugfs_lookup() results can lead to increased memory usage over time, potentially degrading system performance or causing instability in the Linux kernel environment.


What immediate steps should I take to mitigate this vulnerability?

Update the Linux kernel to a version where the vulnerability in kernel/printk/index.c related to debugfs_lookup() memory leak is fixed. Specifically, ensure the kernel includes the fix that replaces debugfs_lookup() with debugfs_lookup_and_remove() to prevent memory leaks.


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