CVE-2023-52849
MediumIn the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: cxl/mem: Fix shutdown order Ira reports that removing cxl_mock_mem causes a crash with the following trace: BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000044 [..] RIP: 0010:cxl_region_decode_reset+0x7f/0x180 [cxl_core] [..] Call Trace: <TASK> cxl_region_detach+0xe8/0x210 [cxl_core] cxl_decoder_kill_region+0x27/0x40 [cxl_core] cxld_unregister+0x29/0x40 [cxl_core] devres_release_all+0xb8/0x110 device_unbind_cleanup+0xe/0x70 device_release_driver_internal+0x1d2/0x210 bus_remove_device+0xd7/0x150 device_del+0x155/0x3e0 device_unregister+0x13/0x60 devm_release_action+0x4d/0x90 ? __pfx_unregister_port+0x10/0x10 [cxl_core] delete_endpoint+0x121/0x130 [cxl_core] devres_release_all+0xb8/0x110 device_unbind_cleanup+0xe/0x70 device_release_driver_internal+0x1d2/0x210 bus_remove_device+0xd7/0x150 device_del+0x155/0x3e0 ? lock_release+0x142/0x290 cdev_device_del+0x15/0x50 cxl_memdev_unregister+0x54/0x70 [cxl_core] This crash is due to the clearing out the cxl_memdev's driver context (@cxlds) before the subsystem is done with it. This is ultimately due to the region(s), that this memdev is a member, being torn down and expecting to be able to de-reference @cxlds, like here: static int cxl_region_decode_reset(struct cxl_region *cxlr, int count) ... if (cxlds->rcd) goto endpoint_reset; ... Fix it by keeping the driver context valid until memdev-device unregistration, and subsequently the entire stack of related dependencies, unwinds.
CVSS 3.1 score
5.5
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Weakness type
CWE-476CVE-2023-52849 is a NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerability
What is NULL Pointer Dereference?
The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL, typically causing a crash. Learn more on MITRE CWE
References
The following references provide additional information about CVE-2023-52849 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0ca074f7d788627a4e0b047ca5fbdb5fc567220c
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/20bd0198bebdd706bd4614b3933ef70d7c19618f
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7c7371b41a14e86f53e7dbe5baa7b1d3e0ab324b
Frequently asked questions
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What is CVE-2023-52849?
CVE-2023-52849 is a Medium severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10 , classified as a NULL Pointer Dereference flaw (CWE-476) . CVE-2023-52849 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
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What is the CVSS score for CVE-2023-52849?
CVE-2023-52849 has a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10, rated Medium severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. -
Is there a patch available for CVE-2023-52849?
No patch is currently available for CVE-2023-52849. Monitor the NIST NVD and your Linux distribution's security advisories for updates.
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Is CVE-2023-52849 actively exploited?
No — CVE-2023-52849 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.
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What is NULL Pointer Dereference (CWE-476)?
The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL, typically causing a crash. View CWE-476 on MITRE CWE →