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CVE Record

CVE-2023-53662: ext4: fix memory leaks in ext4_fname_{setup_filename,prepare_lookup}

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ext4: fix memory leaks in ext4_fname_{setup_filename,prepare_lookup} If the filename casefolding fails, we'll be leaking memory from the fscrypt_name struct, namely from the 'crypto_buf.name' member. Make sure we free it in the error path on both ext4_fname_setup_filename() and ext4_fname_prepare_lookup() functions.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2023-53662 is a Linux kernel ext4 memory leak. When filename casefolding fails, allocated memory may not be released. The source record does not provide CVSS, CWE, exploit evidence, or business impact details, so urgency should be based on affected kernel presence and vendor patch availability.

Executive priority

Track and patch through normal kernel update processes unless your environment heavily depends on affected ext4 features. There is no sourced evidence of exploitation, but kernel memory leaks can still affect reliability over time.

Technical view

The bug is in ext4 filename handling. Error paths in ext4_fname_setup_filename() and ext4_fname_prepare_lookup() leaked fscrypt_name crypto_buf.name after casefolding failure. Kernel stable commits fix the issue by freeing that buffer in both paths.

Likely exposure

Exposure likely applies to systems running affected Linux kernel versions with ext4 code paths involving filename casefolding. The provided affected-version data is limited and should be verified against distribution kernel advisories and the referenced stable commits.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not indicate active exploitation, public exploit code, KEV listing, CVSS, or practical attack prerequisites. Treat this as a kernel maintenance vulnerability until vendor guidance gives clearer operational risk.

Researcher notes

Evidence is limited to the CVE record and upstream stable references. The record names the leak and fixed functions but does not provide CVSS, CWE, reproducer, exploitability analysis, or distribution-specific fixed package versions.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify Linux systems running the listed affected kernel versions.
  • Check distribution advisories for patched kernel packages covering CVE-2023-53662.
  • Prioritize kernel updates on systems using ext4 with casefolding features.
  • Schedule reboots where required to load patched kernels.
  • Monitor vendor guidance for revised severity or mitigation details.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory kernel versions across Linux servers and endpoints.
  • Confirm whether ext4 filesystems and casefolding are in use.
  • Map deployed kernels to the referenced upstream stable commits.
  • Verify patched package installation through your standard asset tooling.
  • Document systems awaiting reboot after kernel update.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
6

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.

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CVE-2023-53662 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
5Source 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
LinuxLinux1ae98e295fa2577fb5e492200c58d10230e00e99, 1ae98e295fa2577fb5e492200c58d10230e00e99, 1ae98e295fa2577fb5e492200c58d10230e00e99, 1ae98e295fa2577fb5e492200c58d10230e00e99unaffected
LinuxLinux5.13, 0, 5.15.199, 6.1.54, 6.5.4, 6.6affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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