What is CVE-2023-53238?

CVE-2023-53238 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.1 out of 10, classified as a Out-of-bounds Read flaw (CWE-125), affecting Linux kernel versions from 4.17 onward and patched in 4.19.291, 5.4.253, 5.10.190 and others. CVE-2023-53238 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

What is the CVSS score for CVE-2023-53238?

CVE-2023-53238 has a CVSS score of 7.1 out of 10, rated High severity. The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H.

Is there a patch available for CVE-2023-53238?

Yes, CVE-2023-53238 has been patched. Fixed versions include 4.19.291, 5.4.253, 5.10.190 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 4.17 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

Is CVE-2023-53238 actively exploited?

CVE-2023-53238 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

What is Out-of-bounds Read (CWE-125)?

The product reads data past the end or before the beginning of the intended buffer. See MITRE CWE for full details: https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/125.html

CVE-2023-53238

High

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: phy: hisilicon: Fix an out of bounds check in hisi_inno_phy_probe() The size of array 'priv->ports[]' is INNO_PHY_PORT_NUM. In the for loop, 'i' is used as the index for array 'priv->ports[]' with a check (i > INNO_PHY_PORT_NUM) which indicates that INNO_PHY_PORT_NUM is allowed value for 'i' in the same loop. This > comparison needs to be changed to >=, otherwise it potentially leads to an out of bounds write on the next iteration through the loop

Package Linux Kernel

Published 2025-09-15

Last modified 2026-01-14

CVSS version 3.1

Patch available

Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

7.1

out of 10

High

Attack Vector

Local

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

Low

User Interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

None

Availability

High

Vector string

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H

Weakness type

CWE-125

CVE-2023-53238 is a Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability

What is Out-of-bounds Read?

The product reads data past the end or before the beginning of the intended buffer. Learn more on MITRE CWE

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 4.17 and later are affected. Fixed in 4.19.291, 5.4.253, 5.10.190, 5.15.124, 6.1.43, 6.4.8, 6.5 and their respective stable series.

Affected from

≥ 4.17

Fixed in

✓ 4.19.291 4.19.x ✓ 5.4.253 5.4.x ✓ 5.10.190 5.10.x ✓ 5.15.124 5.15.x ✓ 6.1.43 6.1.x ✓ 6.4.8 6.4.x ✓ 6.5

References

7 total

Kernel Git
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/01cb355bb92e8fcf8306e11a4774d610c5864e39

Patch
Kernel Git
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/13c088cf3657d70893d75cf116be937f1509cc0f

Patch
Kernel Git
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/195e806b2afb0bad6470c9094f7e45e0cf109ee0

Patch
Kernel Git
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2843a2e703f5cb85c9eeca11b7ee90861635a010

Patch
Kernel Git
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6d8a71e4c3a2fa4960cc50996e76a42b62fab677

Patch

Showing 5 of 7 references View all on NVD

Details

CVE ID CVE-2023-53238

Severity High

CVSS score 7.1 / 10

CVSS version 3.1

Published 2025-09-15

Modified 2026-01-14

KEV No

Patch

Yes

Package linux

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-53238?

CVE-2023-53238 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.1 out of 10 , classified as an Out-of-bounds Read flaw (CWE-125) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 4.17 onward and has been patched in 4.19.291, 5.4.253, 5.10.190 and others. CVE-2023-53238 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
What is the CVSS score for CVE-2023-53238?

CVE-2023-53238 has a CVSS score of 7.1 out of 10, rated High severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H.
Is there a patch available for CVE-2023-53238?

Yes. CVE-2023-53238 has been patched. Fixed versions include 4.19.291, 5.4.253, 5.10.190 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 4.17 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.
Is CVE-2023-53238 actively exploited?

No. CVE-2023-53238 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.