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CVE Record

CVE-2023-53197: USB: uhci: fix memory leak with using debugfs_lookup()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: USB: uhci: fix memory leak with using debugfs_lookup() When calling debugfs_lookup() the result must have dput() called on it, otherwise the memory will leak over time. To make things simpler, just call debugfs_lookup_and_remove() instead which handles all of the logic at once.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Linux kernel issue is a resource leak in the USB UHCI driver cleanup path. A kernel debug filesystem lookup was not released correctly, so memory could leak over time. The source bundle does not provide CVSS, business impact, attack prerequisites, or evidence of exploitation.

Executive priority

Treat as routine kernel hygiene unless your environment depends heavily on affected Linux kernels with USB/UHCI exposure. There is no supplied evidence of active exploitation or severe impact, but unbounded kernel memory leaks can affect stability over time.

Technical view

The resolved bug changes UHCI debugfs removal logic from debugfs_lookup() without dput() to debugfs_lookup_and_remove(), preventing a reference leak. The listed affected Linux versions include 5.13, 5.15.100, 6.1.18, 6.2.5, and 6.3, with fixes referenced in Linux stable commits.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux systems running affected kernel versions with the relevant USB UHCI/debugfs code path present. The bundle does not state whether local access, USB hardware, debugfs mounting, or privileges are required to trigger the leak.

Exploitation context

The CVE is not marked KEV, and the supplied sources do not cite active exploitation or public exploit activity. The documented issue is memory leakage over time, but attacker control and practical exploitability are not established in the bundle.

Researcher notes

The evidence supports a missing reference release after debugfs_lookup() in the UHCI driver. The bundle lacks CVSS, CWE, trigger conditions, privilege requirements, and distro-specific fixed versions. Avoid assuming denial-of-service exploitability without additional vendor or kernel analysis.

Mitigation direction

  • Inventory Linux systems for the affected kernel versions listed in the CVE record.
  • Update to a vendor or Linux stable kernel containing the referenced fix commits.
  • Use distribution advisories or backport notes to confirm fixed package versions.
  • Prioritize systems with USB/UHCI support and debugfs enabled until exposure is clearer.
  • Monitor kernel memory behavior on potentially affected systems before maintenance windows.

Validation and detection

  • Compare running kernel versions against vendor advisories for CVE-2023-53197.
  • Verify whether your kernel includes one of the referenced stable commits.
  • For source builds, confirm UHCI cleanup uses debugfs_lookup_and_remove() or releases lookup references.
  • Check asset inventory for Linux 5.13, 5.15.100, 6.1.18, 6.2.5, and 6.3.
  • Confirm no exception leaves affected kernels unpatched in production images.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
6

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

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

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CVE-2023-53197 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
5Source 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
LinuxLinux5649d86f537887c2be88689986ec4dd493d4babe, 5649d86f537887c2be88689986ec4dd493d4babe, 5649d86f537887c2be88689986ec4dd493d4babe, 5649d86f537887c2be88689986ec4dd493d4babeunaffected
LinuxLinux5.13, 0, 5.15.100, 6.1.18, 6.2.5, 6.3affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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