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CVE Record

CVE-2023-53275: ALSA: hda: fix a possible null-pointer dereference due to data race in snd_hdac_regmap_sync()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ALSA: hda: fix a possible null-pointer dereference due to data race in snd_hdac_regmap_sync() The variable codec->regmap is often protected by the lock codec->regmap_lock when is accessed. However, it is accessed without holding the lock when is accessed in snd_hdac_regmap_sync(): if (codec->regmap) In my opinion, this may be a harmful race, because if codec->regmap is set to NULL right after the condition is checked, a null-pointer dereference can occur in the called function regcache_sync(): map->lock(map->lock_arg); --> Line 360 in drivers/base/regmap/regcache.c To fix this possible null-pointer dereference caused by data race, the mutex_lock coverage is extended to protect the if statement as well as the function call to regcache_sync(). [ Note: the lack of the regmap_lock itself is harmless for the current codec driver implementations, as snd_hdac_regmap_sync() is only for PM runtime resume that is prohibited during the codec probe. But the change makes the whole code more consistent, so it's merged as is -- tiwai ]

MediumCVSS 5.5Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Linux kernel issue can let a local, low-privileged user trigger a crash in the ALSA HDA audio path. The business impact is availability, not data theft or privilege escalation based on the supplied CVSS. It is not listed as known exploited in the provided KEV field.

Executive priority

Treat as a routine but real availability risk. Prioritize patching on multi-user Linux systems and operational hosts where a local crash would disrupt service.

Technical view

The flaw is a possible NULL pointer dereference in snd_hdac_regmap_sync(). codec->regmap was checked without holding codec->regmap_lock, creating a race before regcache_sync() uses the pointer. The kernel fix extends mutex coverage around both the check and sync call.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most relevant to Linux systems running the affected kernel versions or commits listed in the CVE record, especially where ALSA HDA code is present. The source bundle does not provide distribution-specific package names or appliance mappings.

Exploitation context

The CVSS vector is local, low complexity, low privilege, and no user interaction, with high availability impact only. The supplied KEV value is false, and no cited source in the bundle claims active exploitation.

Researcher notes

The record describes a race-protection correctness fix and notes current codec drivers may make the missing lock harmless during probe. Evidence supports a possible NULL dereference, not confirmed broad exploitability.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a vendor kernel containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Check Linux distribution advisories for the patched kernel package mapping.
  • Prioritize shared systems where untrusted users have local access.
  • If patching is delayed, reduce unnecessary local user access.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across affected fleets.
  • Compare deployed kernels against vendor advisories and the CVE affected ranges.
  • Confirm patched kernels include one of the referenced stable commits.
  • Track whether systems expose local access to untrusted users.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
8

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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cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-476: Exact CWE lookup

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2023-53275 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
5.5 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/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
1ADP providers
7Source links

SSVC decision data

CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: partial

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
5.5CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H1.83.6CISA-ADP

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

5.5Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2023-53275Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

ADP provider summaries

CISA-ADPCISA ADP Vulnrichment
cvssV3_1other:ssvc
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux69d5dc286d05441ca2f854ae8df11201f6f9b706, 1a462be52f4505a2719631fb5aa7bfdbd37bfd8d, 1a462be52f4505a2719631fb5aa7bfdbd37bfd8d, 1a462be52f4505a2719631fb5aa7bfdbd37bfd8d, 1a462be52f4505a2719631fb5aa7bfdbd37bfd8d, 1a462be52f4505a2719631fb5aa7bfdbd37bfd8d, 5.4.43unaffected
LinuxLinux5.6, 0, 5.4.255, 5.10.192, 5.15.128, 6.1.47, 6.4.12, 6.5affected
Weakness

CWE details

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

CWE-476 · source CWE mapping

NULL Pointer Dereference

NULL Pointer Dereference represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.