CVE-2023-53802
Unknown Unknown - Not Provided

BaseFortify

Publication date: 2025-12-09

Last updated on: 2025-12-09

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: ath9k: htc_hst: free skb in ath9k_htc_rx_msg() if there is no callback function It is stated that ath9k_htc_rx_msg() either frees the provided skb or passes its management to another callback function. However, the skb is not freed in case there is no another callback function, and Syzkaller was able to cause a memory leak. Also minor comment fix. Found by Linux Verification Center (linuxtesting.org) with Syzkaller.

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Meta Information

Published
2025-12-09
Last Modified
2025-12-09
Generated
2026-07-06
AI Q&A
2025-12-09
EPSS Evaluated
2026-07-05
NVD
CVE-2023-53802
EUVD
EUVD-2023-60104

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux kernel *

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Exploitability

CWE
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CWE ID Description
CWE-UNKNOWN

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Executive Summary

This vulnerability is in the Linux kernel's ath9k wireless driver, specifically in the function ath9k_htc_rx_msg(). The function is supposed to either free a provided skb (socket buffer) or pass its management to another callback function. However, if there is no callback function, the skb is not freed, which leads to a memory leak. This issue was discovered using the Syzkaller testing tool.

Impact Analysis

The vulnerability can cause a memory leak in the Linux kernel's wireless driver. Over time, this memory leak could degrade system performance or stability, potentially leading to resource exhaustion or crashes if exploited repeatedly.

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