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CVE Record

CVE-2023-53195: mlxsw: minimal: fix potential memory leak in mlxsw_m_linecards_init

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mlxsw: minimal: fix potential memory leak in mlxsw_m_linecards_init The line cards array is not freed in the error path of mlxsw_m_linecards_init(), which can lead to a memory leak. Fix by freeing the array in the error path, thereby making the error path identical to mlxsw_m_linecards_fini().

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is a Linux kernel issue where a cleanup path can fail to release allocated memory. The documented impact is a potential memory leak, not data theft or code execution. Business urgency is mainly operational: identify affected kernels and apply the relevant stable kernel fix during normal patch cycles unless local exposure suggests otherwise.

Executive priority

Treat as a routine kernel maintenance item unless affected switching or networking hosts depend on this driver path. There is no source-backed evidence of active exploitation or severe impact, but kernel memory leaks can create reliability risk on affected systems.

Technical view

The flaw is in mlxsw_m_linecards_init() in the Linux kernel mlxsw minimal code. If initialization hits an error path, the line cards array may not be freed. The upstream fix frees the array on that path, matching mlxsw_m_linecards_fini() cleanup behavior.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux systems running affected kernel versions that include the mlxsw minimal code path. The source bundle lists Linux kernel versions including 6.1, 6.1.39, 6.4.4, and 6.5 as affected, but does not provide CPEs or deployment-specific reachability details.

Exploitation context

CISA KEV status is false, and the provided sources do not report active exploitation, public exploit use, required privileges, or attacker reachability. Evidence only supports a potential memory leak on an initialization error path.

Researcher notes

The record lacks CVSS, CWE, CPEs, exploitability details, and precise runtime trigger conditions. Analysis should focus on commit diff review, affected branch mapping, vendor backport status, and whether the mlxsw_m_linecards_init() error path can be reached repeatedly in real deployments.

Mitigation direction

  • Check vendor or distribution advisories for fixed kernel packages.
  • Update affected Linux kernels to versions containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Prioritize systems using the mlxsw driver code path.
  • Apply normal reboot or live-patching procedures required by your kernel vendor.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across relevant systems.
  • Check whether mlxsw minimal support is built, loaded, or operationally used.
  • Confirm installed kernels include the referenced stable commits or vendor backports.
  • Review kernel logs for mlxsw initialization errors on exposed systems.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

Public sources used

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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CVE-2023-53195 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
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.

0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
0ADP providers
4Source links

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.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux01328e23a476a47179b07125eabac439bc1d5fd3, 01328e23a476a47179b07125eabac439bc1d5fd3, 01328e23a476a47179b07125eabac439bc1d5fd3unaffected
LinuxLinux6.1, 0, 6.1.39, 6.4.4, 6.5affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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