CVE-2023-53168

Medium

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: usb: ucsi_acpi: Increase the command completion timeout Commit 130a96d698d7 ("usb: typec: ucsi: acpi: Increase command completion timeout value") increased the timeout from 5 seconds to 60 seconds due to issues related to alternate mode discovery. After the alternate mode discovery switch to polled mode the timeout was reduced, but instead of being set back to 5 seconds it was reduced to 1 second. This is causing problems when using a Lenovo ThinkPad X1 yoga gen7 connected over Type-C to a LG 27UL850-W (charging DP over Type-C). When the monitor is already connected at boot the following error is logged: "PPM init failed (-110)", /sys/class/typec is empty and on unplugging the NULL pointer deref fixed earlier in this series happens. When the monitor is connected after boot the following error is logged instead: "GET_CONNECTOR_STATUS failed (-110)". Setting the timeout back to 5 seconds fixes both cases.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2025-09-15
Last modified 2025-11-24
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-476

CVE-2023-53168 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

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 5.16 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.1.22, 6.2.9, 6.3 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 5.16
Fixed in
✓ 6.1.22 6.1.x ✓ 6.2.9 6.2.x ✓ 6.3

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2023-53168 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-2023-53168?

    CVE-2023-53168 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) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 5.16 onward and has been patched in 6.1.22, 6.2.9 and 6.3. CVE-2023-53168 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2023-53168?

    CVE-2023-53168 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-2023-53168?

    Yes — CVE-2023-53168 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.1.22, 6.2.9 and 6.3. If you are running Linux kernel 5.16 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2023-53168 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2023-53168 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

  • 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 →

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