CVE-2023-54016
Unknown Unknown - Not Provided
Memory Leak in Linux Kernel ath12k Wi-Fi Driver Descriptors

Publication date: 2025-12-24

Last updated on: 2025-12-24

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: ath12k: Fix memory leak in rx_desc and tx_desc Currently when ath12k_dp_cc_desc_init() is called we allocate memory to rx_descs and tx_descs. In ath12k_dp_cc_cleanup(), during descriptor cleanup rx_descs and tx_descs memory is not freed. This is cause of memory leak. These allocated memory should be freed in ath12k_dp_cc_cleanup. In ath12k_dp_cc_desc_init(), we can save base address of rx_descs and tx_descs. In ath12k_dp_cc_cleanup(), we can free rx_descs and tx_descs memory using their base address. Tested-on: QCN9274 hw2.0 PCI WLAN.WBE.1.0.1-00029-QCAHKSWPL_SILICONZ-1
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Meta Information
Published
2025-12-24
Last Modified
2025-12-24
Generated
2026-06-16
AI Q&A
2025-12-24
EPSS Evaluated
2026-06-15
NVD
CVE-2023-54016
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 2 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
qualcomm qcn9274 *
linux linux_kernel *
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Exploitability
CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-UNKNOWN
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Executive Summary

This vulnerability is a memory leak in the Linux kernel's ath12k wireless driver. Specifically, when the function ath12k_dp_cc_desc_init() allocates memory for rx_descs and tx_descs, the corresponding cleanup function ath12k_dp_cc_cleanup() does not free this allocated memory, causing a memory leak. The fix involves saving the base addresses of rx_descs and tx_descs during initialization and freeing them properly during cleanup.

Impact Analysis

The memory leak caused by this vulnerability can lead to increased memory usage over time, potentially degrading system performance or causing system instability or crashes if the leaked memory accumulates significantly.

Mitigation Strategies

To mitigate this vulnerability, update the Linux kernel to a version where the memory leak in ath12k's rx_desc and tx_desc has been fixed. This involves applying the patch that ensures memory allocated in ath12k_dp_cc_desc_init() is properly freed in ath12k_dp_cc_cleanup().

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