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CVE Record

CVE-2023-53544: cpufreq: davinci: Fix clk use after free

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: cpufreq: davinci: Fix clk use after free The remove function first frees the clks and only then calls cpufreq_unregister_driver(). If one of the cpufreq callbacks is called just before cpufreq_unregister_driver() is run, the freed clks might be used.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is a Linux kernel bug in the DaVinci CPU frequency driver. During driver removal, the kernel could free clock objects before unregistering callbacks, creating a use-after-free window. Business impact depends on whether exposed systems use this specific driver and vulnerable kernel code.

Executive priority

Track this as targeted kernel maintenance rather than an internet-wide emergency. Prioritize embedded or appliance fleets using DaVinci Linux kernels, and rely on vendor kernel updates because severity and exploitability are not quantified.

Technical view

CVE-2023-53544 affects Linux cpufreq davinci driver cleanup ordering. The remove path frees clk resources before cpufreq_unregister_driver(); a cpufreq callback arriving in that interval may access freed clock data. Public sources identify stable kernel commits resolving the flaw but provide no CVSS, CWE, or exploit detail.

Likely exposure

Likely limited to Linux systems with the DaVinci cpufreq driver present and reachable during driver removal. The source lists Linux as affected across several kernel version entries, but distribution-specific package status and deployed configuration are not provided.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show active exploitation, and KEV is false. The issue appears to require a race around cpufreq callback timing during driver removal. No public exploit steps or practical exploitation details are provided in the supplied sources.

Researcher notes

Key evidence is the kernel description of a clk use-after-free caused by cleanup ordering. The source bundle lacks CVSS, CWE, distribution advisories, and exploit confirmation, so validation should focus on driver presence and backported fix evidence.

Mitigation direction

  • Check vendor kernel advisories for CVE-2023-53544 and applicable backports.
  • Update affected Linux kernels to versions containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Prioritize systems using DaVinci platforms or the davinci cpufreq driver.
  • Treat non-DaVinci Linux systems as lower exposure pending configuration review.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory kernel versions and whether the davinci cpufreq driver is built or loaded.
  • Confirm the running kernel includes a referenced fix or vendor-equivalent backport.
  • Map appliance and embedded Linux builds to their upstream kernel base.
  • Record exceptions where the driver is absent or the platform is not DaVinci.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
6

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

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CVE-2023-53544 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
5Source 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
LinuxLinux6601b8030de3e9c29930684eeac15302a59f991a, 6601b8030de3e9c29930684eeac15302a59f991a, 6601b8030de3e9c29930684eeac15302a59f991a, 6601b8030de3e9c29930684eeac15302a59f991aunaffected
LinuxLinux2.6.33, 0, 4.14.308, 6.1.16, 6.2.3, 6.3affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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