CVE-2023-52989

Medium

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: firewire: fix memory leak for payload of request subaction to IEC 61883-1 FCP region This patch is fix for Linux kernel v2.6.33 or later. For request subaction to IEC 61883-1 FCP region, Linux FireWire subsystem have had an issue of use-after-free. The subsystem allows multiple user space listeners to the region, while data of the payload was likely released before the listeners execute read(2) to access to it for copying to user space. The issue was fixed by a commit 281e20323ab7 ("firewire: core: fix use-after-free regression in FCP handler"). The object of payload is duplicated in kernel space for each listener. When the listener executes ioctl(2) with FW_CDEV_IOC_SEND_RESPONSE request, the object is going to be released. However, it causes memory leak since the commit relies on call of release_request() in drivers/firewire/core-cdev.c. Against the expectation, the function is never called due to the design of release_client_resource(). The function delegates release task to caller when called with non-NULL fourth argument. The implementation of ioctl_send_response() is the case. It should release the object explicitly. This commit fixes the bug.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2025-03-27
Last modified 2025-10-01
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

5.5

out of 10
Medium
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
Low
Integrity
None
Availability
High
Vector string
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Weakness type

CWE-401

CVE-2023-52989 is a Memory Leak vulnerability

What is Memory Leak?

The product does not release memory after use, causing gradual resource exhaustion. Learn more on MITRE CWE

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 2.6.33 and later are affected. Fixed in 4.14.306, 4.19.273, 5.4.232, 5.10.168, 5.15.93, 6.1.11, 6.2 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 2.6.33
Fixed in
✓ 4.14.306 4.14.x ✓ 4.19.273 4.19.x ✓ 5.4.232 5.4.x ✓ 5.10.168 5.10.x ✓ 5.15.93 5.15.x ✓ 6.1.11 6.1.x ✓ 6.2

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2023-52989 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2023-52989?

    CVE-2023-52989 is a Medium severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10 , classified as a Memory Leak flaw (CWE-401) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 2.6.33 onward and has been patched in 4.14.306, 4.19.273, 5.4.232 and others. CVE-2023-52989 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2023-52989?

    CVE-2023-52989 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-2023-52989?

    Yes — CVE-2023-52989 has been patched. Fixed versions include 4.14.306, 4.19.273, 5.4.232 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 2.6.33 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2023-52989 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2023-52989 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

  • What is Memory Leak (CWE-401)?

    The product does not release memory after use, causing gradual resource exhaustion. View CWE-401 on MITRE CWE →