CVE-2023-53189

Medium

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ipv6/addrconf: fix a potential refcount underflow for idev Now in addrconf_mod_rs_timer(), reference idev depends on whether rs_timer is not pending. Then modify rs_timer timeout. There is a time gap in [1], during which if the pending rs_timer becomes not pending. It will miss to hold idev, but the rs_timer is activated. Thus rs_timer callback function addrconf_rs_timer() will be executed and put idev later without holding idev. A refcount underflow issue for idev can be caused by this. if (!timer_pending(&idev->rs_timer)) in6_dev_hold(idev); <--------------[1] mod_timer(&idev->rs_timer, jiffies + when); To fix the issue, hold idev if mod_timer() return 0.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2025-09-15
Last modified 2025-12-02
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-191

CVE-2023-53189 is classified as CWE-191

See CWE-191 on MITRE CWE for full details on this weakness type.

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 3.10.105, 3.11 and later are affected. Fixed in 4.14.322, 4.19.291, 5.4.251, 5.10.188, 5.15.121, 6.1.40, 6.4.5, 6.5 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 3.10.105 ≥ 3.11
Fixed in
✓ 4.14.322 4.14.x ✓ 4.19.291 4.19.x ✓ 5.4.251 5.4.x ✓ 5.10.188 5.10.x ✓ 5.15.121 5.15.x ✓ 6.1.40 6.1.x ✓ 6.4.5 6.4.x ✓ 6.5

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2023-53189 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

8 patch commits total View all on NVD

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2023-53189?

    CVE-2023-53189 is a Medium severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10 . It affects Linux kernel versions from 3.10.105 onward and has been patched in 4.14.322, 4.19.291, 5.4.251 and others. CVE-2023-53189 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2023-53189?

    CVE-2023-53189 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-2023-53189?

    Yes — CVE-2023-53189 has been patched. Fixed versions include 4.14.322, 4.19.291, 5.4.251 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 3.10.105 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2023-53189 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2023-53189 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

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