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CVE Record

CVE-2023-53602: wifi: ath11k: fix memory leak in WMI firmware stats

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: ath11k: fix memory leak in WMI firmware stats Memory allocated for firmware pdev, vdev and beacon statistics are not released during rmmod. Fix it by calling ath11k_fw_stats_free() function before hardware unregister. While at it, avoid calling ath11k_fw_stats_free() while processing the firmware stats received in the WMI event because the local list is getting spliced and reinitialised and hence there are no elements in the list after splicing. Tested-on: QCN9074 hw1.0 PCI WLAN.HK.2.7.0.1-01744-QCAHKSWPL_SILICONZ-1

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysislow

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Linux kernel issue is a memory leak in the Qualcomm ath11k Wi-Fi driver. Memory used for firmware statistics was not released when the driver module was removed. The sources do not show active exploitation, a CVSS score, or evidence of direct data compromise.

Executive priority

Treat as low immediate business urgency unless your fleet uses ath11k Wi-Fi and routinely unloads drivers. Schedule remediation through normal kernel maintenance, with faster handling for embedded, appliance, or wireless-heavy deployments.

Technical view

The ath11k WMI firmware statistics path leaked allocated pdev, vdev, and beacon statistics during rmmod. The fix frees firmware statistics before hardware unregister and avoids an unnecessary free during WMI event processing after list splicing.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux systems using the ath11k Wi-Fi driver, especially systems with affected kernel versions or kernels missing the referenced stable commits. Impact is most relevant where the driver module is unloaded or reloaded.

Exploitation context

The source bundle marks KEV as false and provides no public exploitation evidence. The described failure mode is a local driver lifecycle memory leak during module removal, not a documented remote compromise path.

Researcher notes

Evidence is limited to the CVE record and Linux stable commits. No CVSS, CWE, exploitability assessment, or distribution-specific fixed package list is provided in the bundle. Validation should focus on kernel provenance and ath11k presence.

Mitigation direction

  • Check your Linux distribution or kernel vendor advisory for CVE-2023-53602.
  • Update to a kernel build containing the referenced stable ath11k fixes.
  • Prioritize ath11k-enabled systems that unload or reload Wi-Fi drivers operationally.
  • Avoid unnecessary ath11k module unload or reload cycles until updated.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux systems using Qualcomm ath11k-supported Wi-Fi hardware.
  • Confirm kernel versions and whether referenced stable commits are present.
  • Review package changelogs for the ath11k firmware stats memory leak fix.
  • Monitor affected systems for memory growth after driver unload or reload events.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

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-2023-53602 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
4Source 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
LinuxLinuxd5c65159f2895379e11ca13f62feabe93278985d, d5c65159f2895379e11ca13f62feabe93278985d, d5c65159f2895379e11ca13f62feabe93278985dunaffected
LinuxLinux5.6, 0, 6.1.42, 6.4.7, 6.5affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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