CVE-2023-53606: nfsd: clean up potential nfsd_file refcount leaks in COPY codepath
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
nfsd: clean up potential nfsd_file refcount leaks in COPY codepath
There are two different flavors of the nfsd4_copy struct. One is
embedded in the compound and is used directly in synchronous copies. The
other is dynamically allocated, refcounted and tracked in the client
struture. For the embedded one, the cleanup just involves releasing any
nfsd_files held on its behalf. For the async one, the cleanup is a bit
more involved, and we need to dequeue it from lists, unhash it, etc.
There is at least one potential refcount leak in this code now. If the
kthread_create call fails, then both the src and dst nfsd_files in the
original nfsd4_copy object are leaked.
The cleanup in this codepath is also sort of weird. In the async copy
case, we'll have up to four nfsd_file references (src and dst for both
flavors of copy structure). They are both put at the end of
nfsd4_do_async_copy, even though the ones held on behalf of the embedded
one outlive that structure.
Change it so that we always clean up the nfsd_file refs held by the
embedded copy structure before nfsd4_copy returns. Rework
cleanup_async_copy to handle both inter and intra copies. Eliminate
nfsd4_cleanup_intra_ssc since it now becomes a no-op.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A Linux NFS server cleanup flaw can leave file references unreleased when COPY processing encounters a kernel-thread creation failure. Accumulated leaks could exhaust resources and disrupt service or system availability. The supplied assessment indicates no confidentiality or integrity impact.
Executive priority
Prioritize prompt remediation on internet-facing, broadly reachable, or business-critical NFS servers. Treat this as an availability risk rather than evidence of data theft or modification. An emergency incident response is not supported solely by the supplied evidence because active exploitation is unconfirmed.
Technical view
The nfsd COPY path handles embedded synchronous and dynamically allocated asynchronous copy structures differently. On kthread_create failure, source and destination nfsd_file references could leak. The referenced kernel changes reorganize cleanup so embedded references are released before nfsd4_copy returns and asynchronous inter- and intra-server copies share appropriate cleanup.
Likely exposure
Likely exposure is limited to systems running affected Linux kernels with the NFS server and relevant COPY functionality active. Risk increases when NFS is network-reachable. The supplied version data does not clearly define every affected release or distribution backport, so confirm status with the applicable kernel vendor.
Exploitation context
The CVSS data describes a network-accessible, low-complexity, unauthenticated availability issue requiring no user interaction. However, the supplied sources do not confirm active exploitation, and the CVE is not listed as KEV. They also do not establish how reliably an external client can induce the necessary thread-creation failure.
Researcher notes
The central defect is reference leakage during COPY cleanup, specifically when kernel-thread creation fails. CVSS assigns 7.5 with availability-only impact. Exact affected-version boundaries are ambiguous in the supplied structured list, and no CWE is provided. Validate branch-specific fixes through the referenced stable commits and vendor backport records without assuming upstream version equivalence.
Mitigation direction
Upgrade to a vendor-supported kernel containing the applicable referenced stable fix or distribution backport.
Confirm backport status with the Linux distribution or appliance vendor before judging exposure by version alone.
If upgrading is delayed, consult vendor guidance for supported temporary risk-reduction measures.
Disable unused NFS service and restrict necessary NFS access according to existing network security policy.
Validation and detection
Inventory running kernel versions on every system providing NFS services.
Determine whether nfsd and NFS COPY functionality are active and network-reachable.
Verify the running kernel contains the applicable stable fix or documented vendor equivalent.
Review system health and NFS logs for resource exhaustion or service instability; absence does not prove safety.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Potential ATT&CK relevance
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3Timeline events
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6Source links
CVSS vector scores
1 official score
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