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CVE Record

CVE-2023-53657: ice: Don't tx before switchdev is fully configured

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ice: Don't tx before switchdev is fully configured There is possibility that ice_eswitch_port_start_xmit might be called while some resources are still not allocated which might cause NULL pointer dereference. Fix this by checking if switchdev configuration was finished.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2023-53657 is a Linux kernel defect in the Intel ice network driver. During switchdev setup, packet transmission may occur before required resources exist, causing a NULL pointer dereference. The business impact is most likely service disruption on affected network hosts, but the sources do not provide CVSS, exploitability, or impact detail.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted kernel stability issue, not a confirmed widespread emergency. Prioritize patching network infrastructure, virtualization hosts, and systems using Intel ice switchdev features because driver crashes can affect availability.

Technical view

The ice driver path ice_eswitch_port_start_xmit could be reached before switchdev configuration completed. If resources were still unallocated, the driver could dereference NULL. The upstream fix adds a completion check before transmitting while switchdev is being configured.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux systems using affected kernels with the Intel ice Ethernet driver and switchdev/eSwitch configuration. Hosts not using this driver or feature path are less likely to be affected. The source bundle lists affected Linux kernel ranges but does not map them to specific distribution packages.

Exploitation context

The CVE is not listed as KEV in the source bundle. The provided sources describe a reliability bug that can cause NULL pointer dereference, but they do not state active exploitation, public exploit availability, attacker prerequisites, or remote exploitability.

Researcher notes

Evidence is limited to the Linux CVE record and stable commit references. No CVSS, CWE, exploit status, or distribution-specific fixed versions are provided in the bundle. Analysis should avoid assuming attacker reachability beyond the documented transmit-before-configuration failure mode.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a vendor-supported kernel containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Check distribution advisories for the exact fixed kernel package.
  • Prioritize hosts using Intel ice adapters with switchdev or eSwitch enabled.
  • Disable unused switchdev/eSwitch configurations where operationally safe until patched.
  • Reboot into the fixed kernel after package installation.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across systems using Intel ice network adapters.
  • Confirm whether switchdev or eSwitch mode is enabled on those hosts.
  • Verify the running kernel includes one of the referenced stable fixes or vendor backport.
  • Review kernel logs for ice driver NULL dereference or oops events.
  • Track remediation through normal vulnerability and patch management records.
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-2023-53657 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
LinuxLinuxf5396b8a663f7a78ee5b75a47ee524b40795b265, f5396b8a663f7a78ee5b75a47ee524b40795b265, f5396b8a663f7a78ee5b75a47ee524b40795b265unaffected
LinuxLinux5.16, 0, 6.1.55, 6.5.5, 6.6affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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