CVE-2023-53595
Unknown Unknown - Not Provided
BaseFortify

Publication date: 2025-10-04

Last updated on: 2026-03-21

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: octeontx2-pf: mcs: Fix NULL pointer dereferences When system is rebooted after creating macsec interface below NULL pointer dereference crashes occurred. This patch fixes those crashes by using correct order of teardown [ 3324.406942] Unable to handle kernel NULL pointer dereference at virtual address 0000000000000000 [ 3324.415726] Mem abort info: [ 3324.418510] ESR = 0x96000006 [ 3324.421557] EC = 0x25: DABT (current EL), IL = 32 bits [ 3324.426865] SET = 0, FnV = 0 [ 3324.429913] EA = 0, S1PTW = 0 [ 3324.433047] Data abort info: [ 3324.435921] ISV = 0, ISS = 0x00000006 [ 3324.439748] CM = 0, WnR = 0 .... [ 3324.575915] Call trace: [ 3324.578353] cn10k_mdo_del_secy+0x24/0x180 [ 3324.582440] macsec_common_dellink+0xec/0x120 [ 3324.586788] macsec_notify+0x17c/0x1c0 [ 3324.590529] raw_notifier_call_chain+0x50/0x70 [ 3324.594965] call_netdevice_notifiers_info+0x34/0x7c [ 3324.599921] rollback_registered_many+0x354/0x5bc [ 3324.604616] unregister_netdevice_queue+0x88/0x10c [ 3324.609399] unregister_netdev+0x20/0x30 [ 3324.613313] otx2_remove+0x8c/0x310 [ 3324.616794] pci_device_shutdown+0x30/0x70 [ 3324.620882] device_shutdown+0x11c/0x204 [ 966.664930] Unable to handle kernel NULL pointer dereference at virtual address 0000000000000000 [ 966.673712] Mem abort info: [ 966.676497] ESR = 0x96000006 [ 966.679543] EC = 0x25: DABT (current EL), IL = 32 bits [ 966.684848] SET = 0, FnV = 0 [ 966.687895] EA = 0, S1PTW = 0 [ 966.691028] Data abort info: [ 966.693900] ISV = 0, ISS = 0x00000006 [ 966.697729] CM = 0, WnR = 0 [ 966.833467] Call trace: [ 966.835904] cn10k_mdo_stop+0x20/0xa0 [ 966.839557] macsec_dev_stop+0xe8/0x11c [ 966.843384] __dev_close_many+0xbc/0x140 [ 966.847298] dev_close_many+0x84/0x120 [ 966.851039] rollback_registered_many+0x114/0x5bc [ 966.855735] unregister_netdevice_many.part.0+0x14/0xa0 [ 966.860952] unregister_netdevice_many+0x18/0x24 [ 966.865560] macsec_notify+0x1ac/0x1c0 [ 966.869303] raw_notifier_call_chain+0x50/0x70 [ 966.873738] call_netdevice_notifiers_info+0x34/0x7c [ 966.878694] rollback_registered_many+0x354/0x5bc [ 966.883390] unregister_netdevice_queue+0x88/0x10c [ 966.888173] unregister_netdev+0x20/0x30 [ 966.892090] otx2_remove+0x8c/0x310 [ 966.895571] pci_device_shutdown+0x30/0x70 [ 966.899660] device_shutdown+0x11c/0x204 [ 966.903574] __do_sys_reboot+0x208/0x290 [ 966.907487] __arm64_sys_reboot+0x20/0x30 [ 966.911489] el0_svc_handler+0x80/0x1c0 [ 966.915316] el0_svc+0x8/0x180 [ 966.918362] Code: f9400000 f9400a64 91220014 f94b3403 (f9400060) [ 966.924448] ---[ end trace 341778e799c3d8d7 ]---
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Meta Information
Published
2025-10-04
Last Modified
2026-03-21
Generated
2026-05-07
AI Q&A
2025-10-04
EPSS Evaluated
2026-05-05
NVD
CVE-2023-53595
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux linux_kernel From 5.15.160 (inc) to 5.16 (inc)
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
CWE
CWE Icon
KEV
KEV Icon
CWE ID Description
CWE-476 The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL.
Attack-Flow Graph
AI Powered Q&A
Can you explain this vulnerability to me?

This vulnerability is a NULL pointer dereference in the Linux kernel related to the octeontx2-pf mcs component. It occurs when the system is rebooted after creating a macsec interface, causing kernel crashes due to improper teardown order. The issue leads to the kernel attempting to access a NULL pointer, resulting in a crash.


How can this vulnerability impact me? :

This vulnerability can cause the Linux kernel to crash during system reboot after creating a macsec interface, leading to system instability or downtime. Such crashes can disrupt normal operations and potentially cause data loss or service interruptions.


How can this vulnerability be detected on my network or system? Can you suggest some commands?

This vulnerability can be detected by monitoring the system logs for kernel NULL pointer dereference crash messages related to the macsec interface and octeontx2-pf driver. Look for log entries similar to: 'Unable to handle kernel NULL pointer dereference at virtual address 0000000000000000' and call traces involving 'cn10k_mdo_del_secy', 'macsec_common_dellink', or 'macsec_notify'. You can use commands like 'dmesg | grep -i "NULL pointer dereference"' or 'journalctl -k | grep -i macsec' to find relevant kernel crash logs.


What immediate steps should I take to mitigate this vulnerability?

Immediate mitigation steps include applying the patch that fixes the NULL pointer dereference by correcting the teardown order of the macsec interface on octeontx2-pf. Until the patch is applied, avoid rebooting the system after creating a macsec interface to prevent the crash. Monitoring for crash logs and avoiding use of the affected macsec interface on octeontx2-pf hardware can also reduce risk.


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