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CVE Record

CVE-2023-53536: blk-crypto: make blk_crypto_evict_key() more robust

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: blk-crypto: make blk_crypto_evict_key() more robust If blk_crypto_evict_key() sees that the key is still in-use (due to a bug) or that ->keyslot_evict failed, it currently just returns while leaving the key linked into the keyslot management structures. However, blk_crypto_evict_key() is only called in contexts such as inode eviction where failure is not an option. So actually the caller proceeds with freeing the blk_crypto_key regardless of the return value of blk_crypto_evict_key(). These two assumptions don't match, and the result is that there can be a use-after-free in blk_crypto_reprogram_all_keys() after one of these errors occurs. (Note, these errors *shouldn't* happen; we're just talking about what happens if they do anyway.) Fix this by making blk_crypto_evict_key() unlink the key from the keyslot management structures even on failure. Also improve some comments.

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A Linux block-encryption key cleanup error can leave a freed key referenced internally. If an unusual key-eviction failure occurs, later kernel activity may access that freed memory, potentially enabling system compromise or a crash. The triggering errors are described as conditions that should not normally occur.

Executive priority

Treat as a high-priority kernel maintenance issue, especially on multi-user or shared-workload Linux systems using block encryption. Schedule vendor-approved updates through normal emergency patching controls. Immediate crisis action is not supported by the evidence because exploitation is unconfirmed and the vulnerable state depends on exceptional failures.

Technical view

blk_crypto_evict_key() could return after detecting an in-use key or keyslot eviction failure without unlinking the key from keyslot-management structures. Its caller could then free the blk_crypto_key. A later blk_crypto_reprogram_all_keys() operation could access the dangling reference, causing a kernel use-after-free. Stable fixes unlink the key even when eviction fails.

Likely exposure

Exposure applies to affected Linux kernel versions where the blk-crypto key-management path is used and the exceptional eviction error occurs. The bundle identifies affected releases beginning with 5.8 and lists several branch boundaries, but distribution kernels may contain backports. Confirm using vendor advisories and fix-commit ancestry.

Exploitation context

The CVSS vector describes a local, low-privilege attack requiring no user interaction, with potentially high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. The prerequisite error conditions reportedly should not occur normally. The CVE is not in KEV, and the supplied evidence does not establish active or public exploitation.

Researcher notes

The flaw is conditional memory unsafety caused by mismatched failure assumptions between eviction and cleanup callers. Assess reachability of both the initial eviction failure and later key reprogramming. The source bundle supplies multiple stable-tree commits but no demonstrated trigger, proof of exploitation, CWE assignment, or distribution-specific package mapping.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a vendor-supported kernel containing the applicable stable fix.
  • Check distribution advisories because kernel fixes may be backported without changing upstream-style version numbers.
  • Prioritize systems permitting untrusted local users or workloads if they use affected blk-crypto functionality.
  • Follow vendor guidance when an updated kernel is not immediately available.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory kernel versions and distribution package revisions across Linux systems.
  • Compare kernel source or vendor backports with the applicable stable fix commits.
  • Determine whether affected systems exercise blk-crypto key management paths.
  • Confirm the updated kernel is running after installation and reboot.
  • Monitor vendor advisories for revised affected-version or exploitation information.
Prepared
Confidence
high
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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CVE-2023-53536 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/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
0ADP providers
7Source links

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
7.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2023-53536Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux1b2628397058ebce7277480960b29c788138de90, 1b2628397058ebce7277480960b29c788138de90, 1b2628397058ebce7277480960b29c788138de90, 1b2628397058ebce7277480960b29c788138de90, 1b2628397058ebce7277480960b29c788138de90, 1b2628397058ebce7277480960b29c788138de90unaffected
LinuxLinux5.8, 0, 5.10.180, 5.15.111, 6.1.28, 6.2.15, 6.3.2, 6.4affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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