CVE-2023-53419

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: rcu: Protect rcu_print_task_exp_stall() ->exp_tasks access For kernels built with CONFIG_PREEMPT_RCU=y, the following scenario can result in a NULL-pointer dereference: CPU1 CPU2 rcu_preempt_deferred_qs_irqrestore rcu_print_task_exp_stall if (special.b.blocked) READ_ONCE(rnp->exp_tasks) != NULL raw_spin_lock_rcu_node np = rcu_next_node_entry(t, rnp) if (&t->rcu_node_entry == rnp->exp_tasks) WRITE_ONCE(rnp->exp_tasks, np) .... raw_spin_unlock_irqrestore_rcu_node raw_spin_lock_irqsave_rcu_node t = list_entry(rnp->exp_tasks->prev, struct task_struct, rcu_node_entry) (if rnp->exp_tasks is NULL, this will dereference a NULL pointer) The problem is that CPU2 accesses the rcu_node structure's->exp_tasks field without holding the rcu_node structure's ->lock and CPU2 did not observe CPU1's change to rcu_node structure's ->exp_tasks in time. Therefore, if CPU1 sets rcu_node structure's->exp_tasks pointer to NULL, then CPU2 might dereference that NULL pointer. This commit therefore holds the rcu_node structure's ->lock while accessing that structure's->exp_tasks field. [ paulmck: Apply Frederic Weisbecker feedback. ]

CVSS v3 5.5 MEDIUM

5.5^/10

CVSS v3 : MEDIUM

Vector :

Exploitability : 1.8 / Impact : 3.6

Attack Vector LOCAL

Attack Complexity LOW

Privileges Required LOW

User Interaction NONE

Confidentiality Impact NONE

Integrity Impact NONE

Availability Impact HIGH

Scope UNCHANGED

References

Link	Resource
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2bc0ae94ef1f9ed322d8ee439de3239ea3632ab2	Patch
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3c1566bca3f8349f12b75d0a2d5e4a20ad6262ec	Patch
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a7d21b8585894e6fff973f6ddae42f02b13f600f	Patch
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d0a8c0e31a09ec1efd53079083e2a677956b4d91	Patch
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e30a55e98ae6c44253d8b129efefd5da5bc6e3bc	Patch

Configurations

Configuration 1 (hide)

OR	cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel::::::::
	cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel::::::::
	cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel::::::::
	cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel::::::::

History

No history.

Information

Published : 2025-09-18 16:15

Updated : 2026-01-14 20:16

NVD link : CVE-2023-53419

Mitre link : CVE-2023-53419

CVE.ORG link : CVE-2023-53419

JSON object : View

Products Affected

linux

linux_kernel

CWE

CWE-476

NULL Pointer Dereference

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