CVE-2023-53461: io_uring: wait interruptibly for request completions on exit
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
io_uring: wait interruptibly for request completions on exit
WHen the ring exits, cleanup is done and the final cancelation and
waiting on completions is done by io_ring_exit_work. That function is
invoked by kworker, which doesn't take any signals. Because of that, it
doesn't really matter if we wait for completions in TASK_INTERRUPTIBLE
or TASK_UNINTERRUPTIBLE state. However, it does matter to the hung task
detection checker!
Normally we expect cancelations and completions to happen rather
quickly. Some test cases, however, will exit the ring and park the
owning task stopped (eg via SIGSTOP). If the owning task needs to run
task_work to complete requests, then io_ring_exit_work won't make any
progress until the task is runnable again. Hence io_ring_exit_work can
trigger the hung task detection, which is particularly problematic if
panic-on-hung-task is enabled.
As the ring exit doesn't take signals to begin with, have it wait
interruptibly rather than uninterruptibly. io_uring has a separate
stuck-exit warning that triggers independently anyway, so we're not
really missing anything by making this switch.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2023-53461 is a Linux kernel io_uring cleanup issue. In specific exit conditions, cleanup work can appear hung, potentially triggering the kernel hung-task detector. If panic-on-hung-task is enabled, this can turn into a system panic and outage. No active exploitation is reported in the provided sources.
Executive priority
Prioritize routine-to-near-term patching for Linux servers where unplanned reboot or panic would be costly. Escalate priority for high-availability systems with panic-on-hung-task enabled. Current evidence does not support emergency response for active exploitation.
Technical view
During io_uring ring exit, io_ring_exit_work waits for request completions from a kworker. If the owning task is stopped and must run task_work, progress may stall. The fix changes the wait state from uninterruptible to interruptible to avoid hung-task detection side effects while retaining separate io_uring stuck-exit warnings.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to Linux systems running affected kernel versions with io_uring present. Business impact is mainly availability risk, especially on systems configured to panic on hung tasks. The provided data lists affected Linux kernel lines but does not provide complete distribution package mappings.
Exploitation context
The sources describe a condition involving io_uring exit, pending completions, and a stopped owning task. They do not state remote exploitation, privilege escalation, public exploit availability, or CISA KEV listing. Treat this as a potential local denial-of-service reliability issue unless vendor guidance says otherwise.
Researcher notes
The record lacks CVSS, CWE, and exploit details. Analysis should focus on affected kernel lineage, whether the stable commits are present, and distro backport status. The security impact depends heavily on hung-task panic configuration and the ability to reach the io_uring exit condition.
Mitigation direction
Apply Linux kernel updates that include the referenced stable io_uring fix commits.
Check your distribution advisory for backported fixes and supported kernel package names.
Review whether panic-on-hung-task is enabled on critical systems.
If patching is delayed, follow vendor guidance for io_uring or hung-task hardening.
Validation and detection
Identify Linux hosts running kernel versions in the affected ranges listed by the CVE record.
Confirm the running kernel includes one of the referenced stable commits or a distributor backport.
Review kernel changelogs for the io_uring exit wait-state fix.
Check operational policy for panic-on-hung-task on production systems.
Monitor vendor security advisories for updated severity or package-specific status.
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-2023-53461 mapping review
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0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
0ADP providers
6Source links
Vulnerability timeline
Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.
CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
Oct 1, 2025, 11:42 UTC (UTC+00:00)
CVE updatedCVE Program
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