CVE-2023-53303

Medium

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: microchip: vcap api: Fix possible memory leak for vcap_dup_rule() Inject fault When select CONFIG_VCAP_KUNIT_TEST, the below memory leak occurs. If kzalloc() for duprule succeeds, but the following kmemdup() fails, the duprule, ckf and caf memory will be leaked. So kfree them in the error path. unreferenced object 0xffff122744c50600 (size 192): comm "kunit_try_catch", pid 346, jiffies 4294896122 (age 911.812s) hex dump (first 32 bytes): 10 27 00 00 04 00 00 00 1e 00 00 00 2c 01 00 00 .'..........,... 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 18 06 c5 44 27 12 ff ff ...........D'... backtrace: [<00000000394b0db8>] __kmem_cache_alloc_node+0x274/0x2f8 [<0000000001bedc67>] kmalloc_trace+0x38/0x88 [<00000000b0612f98>] vcap_dup_rule+0x50/0x460 [<000000005d2d3aca>] vcap_add_rule+0x8cc/0x1038 [<00000000eef9d0f8>] test_vcap_xn_rule_creator.constprop.0.isra.0+0x238/0x494 [<00000000cbda607b>] vcap_api_rule_remove_in_front_test+0x1ac/0x698 [<00000000c8766299>] kunit_try_run_case+0xe0/0x20c [<00000000c4fe9186>] kunit_generic_run_threadfn_adapter+0x50/0x94 [<00000000f6864acf>] kthread+0x2e8/0x374 [<0000000022e639b3>] ret_from_fork+0x10/0x20

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2025-09-16
Last modified 2026-01-14
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-2023-53303 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 6.3 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.5.4, 6.6 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 6.3
Fixed in
✓ 6.5.4 6.5.x ✓ 6.6

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2023-53303 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-2023-53303?

    CVE-2023-53303 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 6.3 onward and has been patched in 6.5.4 and 6.6. CVE-2023-53303 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2023-53303?

    CVE-2023-53303 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-2023-53303?

    Yes — CVE-2023-53303 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.5.4 and 6.6. If you are running Linux kernel 6.3 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2023-53303 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2023-53303 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 →