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CVE Record

CVE-2023-53199: wifi: ath9k: hif_usb: clean up skbs if ath9k_hif_usb_rx_stream() fails

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: ath9k: hif_usb: clean up skbs if ath9k_hif_usb_rx_stream() fails Syzkaller detected a memory leak of skbs in ath9k_hif_usb_rx_stream(). While processing skbs in ath9k_hif_usb_rx_stream(), the already allocated skbs in skb_pool are not freed if ath9k_hif_usb_rx_stream() fails. If we have an incorrect pkt_len or pkt_tag, the input skb is considered invalid and dropped. All the associated packets already in skb_pool should be dropped and freed. Added a comment describing this issue. The patch also makes remain_skb NULL after being processed so that it cannot be referenced after potential free. The initialization of hif_dev fields which are associated with remain_skb (rx_remain_len, rx_transfer_len and rx_pad_len) is moved after a new remain_skb is allocated. Found by Linux Verification Center (linuxtesting.org) with Syzkaller.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2023-53199 is a Linux kernel memory-leak flaw in the ath9k USB Wi-Fi driver path. Malformed receive data can cause allocated network buffers not to be freed when processing fails. Business risk depends mainly on whether affected systems use this driver and vulnerable kernel builds.

Executive priority

Treat as a targeted kernel maintenance issue, not an emergency based on available evidence. Prioritize patching where ath9k USB Wi-Fi is used, especially on reliability-sensitive systems.

Technical view

The flaw is in ath9k_hif_usb_rx_stream(). When invalid packet length or tag handling causes failure, already allocated skbs in skb_pool were not freed. The fix frees associated packets, clears remain_skb after processing, and moves related state initialization until after a new remain_skb allocation.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on Linux systems running affected kernel versions with ath9k USB Wi-Fi hardware or the ath9k_hif_usb driver enabled. Systems without that driver path or with vendor-backported fixes are less likely exposed.

Exploitation context

The sources identify Syzkaller discovery by Linux Verification Center and do not cite active exploitation. KEV is false. The bundle does not provide CVSS, attack complexity, required privileges, or a complete exploitation scenario.

Researcher notes

The record gives a clear root cause and patch direction but lacks CVSS, CWE, and exploitability detail. Analysis should stay scoped to skb cleanup failure in ath9k_hif_usb_rx_stream() and avoid assuming broader Linux Wi-Fi impact.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply vendor kernel updates that include the referenced stable fixes.
  • Prioritize systems using ath9k USB Wi-Fi hardware or ath9k_hif_usb.
  • If updates are unavailable, check vendor guidance for supported workarounds.
  • Avoid unnecessary use of affected USB Wi-Fi adapters on critical systems.
  • Track distribution advisories for backported fixes under this CVE.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions against the affected ranges in the CVE record.
  • Identify systems with ath9k USB Wi-Fi hardware or ath9k_hif_usb enabled.
  • Confirm installed kernel packages include the relevant stable commit backports.
  • Review vendor advisories for exact fixed package versions.
  • Regression-test Wi-Fi functionality after kernel updates.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
9

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-2023-53199 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
8Source 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
LinuxLinux44b23b488d44e56d467764ecb661830e5b02b308, 44b23b488d44e56d467764ecb661830e5b02b308, 44b23b488d44e56d467764ecb661830e5b02b308, 44b23b488d44e56d467764ecb661830e5b02b308, 44b23b488d44e56d467764ecb661830e5b02b308, 44b23b488d44e56d467764ecb661830e5b02b308, 44b23b488d44e56d467764ecb661830e5b02b308unaffected
LinuxLinux2.6.38, 0, 4.19.276, 5.4.235, 5.10.173, 5.15.99, 6.1.16, 6.2.3, 6.3affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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