Go to homepageCyberStrike

Menu

Star on GitHub · 3.2k
Sign inDownload

CVE-2023-53515

7.8 · 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.

Published Oct 1, 2025CWE-416EPSS 0.15%

Overview

CVE-2023-53515 is a high-severity vulnerability. It was published on October 1, 2025 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 (HIGH).

This vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, rated HIGH. It requires local or adjacent network access to exploit. Some level of privileges is required for exploitation.

Technical description

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.

Remediation

Check the references section for vendor advisories, patches, and mitigation guidance. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

References

Refgit.kernel.org/stable/c/2dcb368fe5a8eee498ca75c93a18ce2f3b0d6a8eRefgit.kernel.org/stable/c/3ff54d904fafabd0912796785e53cce4e69ca123Refgit.kernel.org/stable/c/55c91fedd03d7b9cf0c5199b2eb12b9b8e95281aRefgit.kernel.org/stable/c/5b7d5c2dd664eb8b9a06ecbc06e28d39359c422eRefgit.kernel.org/stable/c/97a2d55ead76358245b446efd87818e919196d7aRefgit.kernel.org/stable/c/af5818c35173e096085c6ae2e3aac605d3d15e41Refgit.kernel.org/stable/c/b788ad3b2468512339c05f23692e36860264e674

How CyberStrike helps

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-53515?

CVE-2023-53515 is a high-severity vulnerability. It was published on October 1, 2025 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 (HIGH).

How severe is CVE-2023-53515?

This vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, rated HIGH. It requires local or adjacent network access to exploit. Some level of privileges is required for exploitation.

How do I fix or remediate CVE-2023-53515?

Check the references section for vendor advisories, patches, and mitigation guidance. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

How can CyberStrike help with CVE-2023-53515?

CyberStrike is an open-source, AI-augmented pentesting engine. Rather than flag a version number, it tests whether an issue like CVE-2023-53515 is actually reachable in your own applications and APIs, then verifies each finding before reporting it. That tells you if the weakness is a real, exploitable risk in your environment or a false positive you can safely deprioritize.

Related HIGH CVEs from 2023

View all
Browse by year2026202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999