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CVE Record

CVE-2023-53631: platform/x86: dell-sysman: Fix reference leak

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: platform/x86: dell-sysman: Fix reference leak If a duplicate attribute is found using kset_find_obj(), a reference to that attribute is returned. This means that we need to dispose it accordingly. Use kobject_put() to dispose the duplicate attribute in such a case. Compile-tested only.

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 issue in Dell system-management support. A duplicate attribute path leaked a kernel object reference instead of releasing it. The sources do not provide CVSS, clear impact, or evidence of active exploitation, so urgency depends on whether affected Linux kernels and Dell management support are present.

Executive priority

Treat as a normal kernel maintenance item unless your fleet relies heavily on affected Dell Linux management paths. There is insufficient evidence for emergency response, but kernel patch cadence should not ignore it.

Technical view

In platform/x86 dell-sysman, kset_find_obj() returns a reference when a duplicate attribute is found. The vulnerable path did not release that reference. The fix calls kobject_put() for the duplicate attribute case. The upstream note says the change was compile-tested only.

Likely exposure

Most relevant to Linux systems running affected kernel versions with Dell system-management support. Exposure should be assessed through kernel package versions and distribution advisories because the bundle lists upstream stable commits but no complete product matrix.

Exploitation context

The bundle marks KEV as false and cites no source showing active exploitation or public weaponization. It also does not define attacker prerequisites, reachable interfaces, or practical impact beyond a reference leak.

Researcher notes

Evidence is narrow: a reference leak fix, no CVSS, no CWE, no exploit evidence, and a compile-tested-only note. Avoid assuming memory corruption, privilege escalation, or denial of service without vendor or kernel maintainer detail.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply Linux kernel updates from your distribution or vendor when available.
  • Confirm updates include one of the referenced upstream stable fixes.
  • Track distribution advisories for CVE-2023-53631 package status.
  • If no package exists, follow vendor guidance for supported kernel backports.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across Dell and non-Dell fleets.
  • Check package changelogs or advisories for CVE-2023-53631 or referenced commits.
  • Confirm whether dell-sysman support is built, loaded, or required.
  • After updating, validate normal boot and Dell management functionality.
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-2023-53631 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
LinuxLinuxe8a60aa7404bfef37705da5607c97737073ac38d, e8a60aa7404bfef37705da5607c97737073ac38d, e8a60aa7404bfef37705da5607c97737073ac38d, e8a60aa7404bfef37705da5607c97737073ac38d, e8a60aa7404bfef37705da5607c97737073ac38dunaffected
LinuxLinux5.11, 0, 5.15.132, 6.1.53, 6.4.16, 6.5.3, 6.6affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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