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CVE Record

CVE-2023-52981: drm/i915: Fix request ref counting during error capture & debugfs dump

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: drm/i915: Fix request ref counting during error capture & debugfs dump When GuC support was added to error capture, the reference counting around the request object was broken. Fix it up. The context based search manages the spinlocking around the search internally. So it needs to grab the reference count internally as well. The execlist only request based search relies on external locking, so it needs an external reference count but within the spinlock not outside it. The only other caller of the context based search is the code for dumping engine state to debugfs. That code wasn't previously getting an explicit reference at all as it does everything while holding the execlist specific spinlock. So, that needs updaing as well as that spinlock doesn't help when using GuC submission. Rather than trying to conditionally get/put depending on submission model, just change it to always do the get/put. v2: Explicitly document adding an extra blank line in some dense code (Andy Shevchenko). Fix multiple potential null pointer derefs in case of no request found (some spotted by Tvrtko, but there was more!). Also fix a leaked request in case of !started and another in __guc_reset_context now that intel_context_find_active_request is actually reference counting the returned request. v3: Add a _get suffix to intel_context_find_active_request now that it grabs a reference (Daniele). v4: Split the intel_guc_find_hung_context change to a separate patch and rename intel_context_find_active_request_get to intel_context_get_active_request (Tvrtko). v5: s/locking/reference counting/ in commit message (Tvrtko) (cherry picked from commit 3700e353781e27f1bc7222f51f2cc36cbeb9b4ec)

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2023-52981 is a Linux kernel i915 graphics driver flaw involving incorrect request reference counting during error capture and debugfs engine dumps. It is rated high because a local low-privileged user could potentially impact confidentiality, integrity, and availability on affected systems.

Executive priority

Treat as a high-priority routine kernel update, not an emergency internet-facing incident. Focus first on multi-user Linux systems and Intel graphics endpoints. No provided source supports active exploitation.

Technical view

The issue is in drm/i915 request object lifetime handling after GuC error capture support. The fix adjusts reference acquisition and release around active-request searches, debugfs engine-state dumping, and related null/leak paths. CVSS is 7.8: local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction.

Likely exposure

Most relevant to Linux systems running affected kernels with Intel i915 graphics support, especially where GuC submission or i915 debug/error capture paths are present. Systems without the i915 driver loaded are likely less exposed, but confirm with vendor kernel guidance.

Exploitation context

The CVE record does not indicate known active exploitation, and it is not listed as CISA KEV in the provided bundle. Exploitation is local, requiring low privileges, so shared workstations, developer systems, kiosks, and multi-user Linux hosts deserve attention.

Researcher notes

Affected-version detail in the bundle is limited and somewhat patch-centric. The strongest evidence is the kernel commit description describing broken reference counting, null dereference fixes, and request leaks. Validate exposure against downstream distribution advisories and backported kernel patches.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply Linux distribution kernel updates that include the referenced stable fixes.
  • Prioritize systems with Intel i915 graphics enabled or multi-user local access.
  • If no update is available, monitor your Linux vendor guidance for backports.
  • Limit unnecessary local user access on affected systems until updated.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across endpoints and servers.
  • Check whether the i915 driver is present or loaded.
  • Review vendor changelogs for the referenced stable commit IDs.
  • Confirm patched kernels are installed and active after reboot.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
4

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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ATT&CK lookup starting points

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CVE-2023-52981 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

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

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
0ADP providers
3Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
7.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2023-52981Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux573ba126aef37c8315e5bb68d2dad515efa96994, 573ba126aef37c8315e5bb68d2dad515efa96994unaffected
LinuxLinux5.15, 0, 6.1.11, 6.2affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.