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CVE Record

CVE-2023-53551: usb: gadget: u_serial: Add null pointer check in gserial_resume

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: usb: gadget: u_serial: Add null pointer check in gserial_resume Consider a case where gserial_disconnect has already cleared gser->ioport. And if a wakeup interrupt triggers afterwards, gserial_resume gets called, which will lead to accessing of gser->ioport and thus causing null pointer dereference.Add a null pointer check to prevent this. Added a static spinlock to prevent gser->ioport from becoming null after the newly added check.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Linux kernel issue can crash systems using the USB gadget serial driver when a resume event occurs after disconnect cleanup. The source describes a null pointer dereference, so the likely business impact is availability, not data theft. Public evidence does not show active exploitation or a CVSS score.

Executive priority

Treat as a targeted availability risk for Linux-based devices using USB gadget serial. Prioritize patch validation on embedded, appliance, and physically accessible systems rather than broad emergency response, unless vendor advisories raise severity.

Technical view

In usb gadget u_serial, gserial_disconnect can clear gser->ioport before gserial_resume runs after a wakeup interrupt. The fix adds a null pointer check and a static spinlock so ioport cannot become null after validation. Affected Linux kernel versions are listed in the CVE record, with fixes referenced in stable commits.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on Linux systems or embedded devices that enable USB gadget serial functionality. General-purpose servers without this driver or USB gadget use are less likely exposed, but kernel configuration and package version must be verified.

Exploitation context

The bundle does not cite KEV listing, public exploitation, exploit code, or attacker prerequisites. The described failure mode is a race-like resume-after-disconnect condition leading to null pointer dereference and probable denial of service.

Researcher notes

Evidence is limited to the CVE record and Linux stable commits. The core issue is a null dereference prevented by pointer validation and locking. No CWE, CVSS, exploitability assessment, or confirmed attack path is provided in the bundle.

Mitigation direction

  • Update affected Linux kernels using vendor-supported packages or referenced stable fixes.
  • Check Linux distribution advisories for backported fixes before relying on upstream version numbers.
  • Prioritize embedded and USB gadget-enabled devices in remediation planning.
  • Disable unused USB gadget serial functionality where operationally feasible.
  • Monitor vendor guidance for severity, CVSS, and affected configuration clarification.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, appliances, and embedded devices.
  • Check whether USB gadget serial support is built in or loaded as a module.
  • Map installed kernels against vendor advisories and the CVE affected-version data.
  • Confirm patched builds include the referenced u_serial gserial_resume fix.
  • Review crash logs for null pointer dereferences involving gserial_resume or u_serial.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
7

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

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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CVE-2023-53551 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
6Source 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
LinuxLinuxaba3a8d01d623a5efef48ab8e78752d58d4c90c3, aba3a8d01d623a5efef48ab8e78752d58d4c90c3, aba3a8d01d623a5efef48ab8e78752d58d4c90c3, aba3a8d01d623a5efef48ab8e78752d58d4c90c3, aba3a8d01d623a5efef48ab8e78752d58d4c90c3unaffected
LinuxLinux5.8, 0, 5.10.171, 5.15.97, 6.1.15, 6.2.2, 6.3affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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