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CVE Record

CVE-2023-53638: octeon_ep: cancel queued works in probe error path

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: octeon_ep: cancel queued works in probe error path If it fails to get the devices's MAC address, octep_probe exits while leaving the delayed work intr_poll_task queued. When the work later runs, it's a use after free. Move the cancelation of intr_poll_task from octep_remove into octep_device_cleanup. This does not change anything in the octep_remove flow, but octep_device_cleanup is called also in the octep_probe error path, where the cancelation is needed. Note that the cancelation of ctrl_mbox_task has to follow intr_poll_task's, because the ctrl_mbox_task may be queued by intr_poll_task.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This CVE is a Linux kernel driver cleanup bug. If the octeon_ep driver probe fails while reading a device MAC address, delayed work can run after related memory is freed, causing a use-after-free. Business urgency depends on whether affected kernels and this hardware/driver are present.

Executive priority

Treat as a targeted kernel maintenance issue, not a broad emergency based on current evidence. Prioritize validation on Linux hosts with matching driver or hardware exposure, then apply vendor kernel updates through normal urgent patch channels.

Technical view

The flaw is in the Linux octeon_ep driver probe error path. intr_poll_task remained queued after octep_probe exited on MAC address retrieval failure. Later execution could touch freed state. The fix moves intr_poll_task cancellation into octep_device_cleanup, with ctrl_mbox_task cancellation ordered afterward because intr_poll_task may queue it.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux systems running affected kernel versions with the octeon_ep driver and relevant hardware or probe paths. The supplied data names Linux 6.4, 6.4.12, and 6.5 related affected version information, but distribution backport status is not provided.

Exploitation context

No active exploitation is supported by the supplied sources, and the CVE is not marked KEV. The source bundle describes a use-after-free triggered by a probe failure path, but does not provide exploitability, impact, or privilege requirements.

Researcher notes

The key behavior is delayed work surviving the probe error path. Review the referenced stable commits for exact code movement and cancellation ordering. Evidence does not establish practical exploitability, remote reachability, or post-fix affected ranges for downstream distributions.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a vendor kernel containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Check distribution advisories for CVE-2023-53638 backport status.
  • Prioritize systems using the octeon_ep driver or matching hardware.
  • If exposed, test updated kernels before production rollout.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory kernel versions across Linux hosts.
  • Check whether the octeon_ep driver is built, loaded, or required.
  • Confirm installed kernel includes one of the referenced fixes or a vendor backport.
  • Review fleet hardware for devices using this driver path.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
4

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-2023-53638 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
3Source 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
LinuxLinux24d4333233b378114106a1327d3d635a004f4387, 24d4333233b378114106a1327d3d635a004f4387unaffected
LinuxLinux6.4, 0, 6.4.12, 6.5affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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