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CVE Record

CVE-2023-53429: btrfs: don't check PageError in __extent_writepage

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: btrfs: don't check PageError in __extent_writepage __extent_writepage currenly sets PageError whenever any error happens, and the also checks for PageError to decide if to call error handling. This leads to very unclear responsibility for cleaning up on errors. In the VM and generic writeback helpers the basic idea is that once I/O is fired off all error handling responsibility is delegated to the end I/O handler. But if that end I/O handler sets the PageError bit, and the submitter checks it, the bit could in some cases leak into the submission context for fast enough I/O. Fix this by simply not checking PageError and just using the local ret variable to check for submission errors. This also fundamentally solves the long problem documented in a comment in __extent_writepage by never leaking the error bit into the submission context.

MediumCVSS 5.5Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Linux kernel btrfs issue can turn a local, low-privileged condition into a denial of service by mishandling writeback error state. The public data rates it medium severity, focused on availability rather than data theft or privilege escalation.

Executive priority

Treat as a normal-priority kernel maintenance item unless critical systems use btrfs with untrusted local users or multi-tenant workloads. It does not currently justify emergency action based on the supplied evidence.

Technical view

The resolved kernel change removes PageError checks from __extent_writepage and relies on the local submission return value. Sources say fast I/O could leak an end-I/O error bit into the submission context, confusing btrfs writeback error handling.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to Linux systems using affected kernel versions or downstream builds with the vulnerable btrfs code. The bundle identifies Linux kernel btrfs and commit/version references, but downstream distribution package status must be confirmed with vendor advisories.

Exploitation context

The CVSS vector is local, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, with high availability impact. The bundle says KEV is false and provides no cited evidence of active exploitation or public exploit use.

Researcher notes

The evidence supports a btrfs writeback error-handling bug with availability impact. Affected-version mapping is incomplete for downstream distributions, so validation should focus on vendor backports and whether deployed kernels include the stable fixes.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply a vendor-supported Linux kernel update containing the referenced btrfs fix.
  • Check distribution advisories for exact fixed package versions.
  • Prioritize btrfs hosts where local users or workloads can trigger filesystem writes.
  • Use standard change windows for kernel updates and reboot requirements.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux hosts using btrfs filesystems.
  • Compare kernel builds against vendor fixed-version guidance.
  • Confirm whether referenced stable commits are included in deployed kernels.
  • Verify monitoring covers local denial-of-service symptoms on btrfs systems.
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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CVE-2023-53429 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
3Source 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-2023-53429Attack 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
LinuxLinux61391d562229ed94899ed4b4973dc2f0c015292a, 61391d562229ed94899ed4b4973dc2f0c015292aunaffected
LinuxLinux3.16, 0, 6.4.7, 6.5affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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