CVE-2023-53515

High

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: virtio-mmio: don't break lifecycle of vm_dev vm_dev has a separate lifecycle because it has a 'struct device' embedded. Thus, having a release callback for it is correct. Allocating the vm_dev struct with devres totally breaks this protection, though. Instead of waiting for the vm_dev release callback, the memory is freed when the platform_device is removed. Resulting in a use-after-free when finally the callback is to be called. To easily see the problem, compile the kernel with CONFIG_DEBUG_KOBJECT_RELEASE and unbind with sysfs. The fix is easy, don't use devres in this case. Found during my research about object lifetime problems.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2025-10-01
Last modified 2026-04-06
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

7.8

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

Weakness type

CWE-416

CVE-2023-53515 is a Use After Free vulnerability

What is Use After Free?

The product references memory after it has been freed, which may cause it to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. Learn more on MITRE CWE

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 4.15 and later are affected. Fixed in 4.19.293, 5.4.255, 5.10.192, 5.15.128, 6.1.47, 6.4.12, 6.5 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 4.15
Fixed in
✓ 4.19.293 4.19.x ✓ 5.4.255 5.4.x ✓ 5.10.192 5.10.x ✓ 5.15.128 5.15.x ✓ 6.1.47 6.1.x ✓ 6.4.12 6.4.x ✓ 6.5

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2023-53515 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

7 patch commits total View all on NVD

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2023-53515?

    CVE-2023-53515 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10 , classified as an Use After Free flaw (CWE-416) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 4.15 onward and has been patched in 4.19.293, 5.4.255, 5.10.192 and others. CVE-2023-53515 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2023-53515?

    CVE-2023-53515 has a CVSS score of 7.8 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:H/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2023-53515?

    Yes — CVE-2023-53515 has been patched. Fixed versions include 4.19.293, 5.4.255, 5.10.192 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 4.15 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2023-53515 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2023-53515 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

  • What is Use After Free (CWE-416)?

    The product references memory after it has been freed, which may cause it to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. View CWE-416 on MITRE CWE →

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