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CVE Record

CVE-2023-53807: clk: clocking-wizard: Fix Oops in clk_wzrd_register_divider()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: clk: clocking-wizard: Fix Oops in clk_wzrd_register_divider() Smatch detected this potential error pointer dereference clk_wzrd_register_divider(). If devm_clk_hw_register() fails then it sets "hw" to an error pointer and then dereferences it on the next line. Return the error directly instead.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2023-53807 is a Linux kernel bug in the clocking-wizard driver. If a clock registration call fails, the kernel may dereference an error pointer and trigger an Oops. The business impact is most likely availability disruption on systems using this driver, not broad remote compromise based on available sources.

Executive priority

Treat as a targeted availability risk, not an emergency internet-wide issue based on current evidence. Patch during normal kernel maintenance, faster for embedded, FPGA, or hardware-specific Linux systems where clocking-wizard functionality is used in production.

Technical view

The flaw is in clk_wzrd_register_divider(). When devm_clk_hw_register() returns an error pointer, the code dereferences it on the next line instead of returning the error. Linux stable commits change the function to return the error directly. No CVSS, CWE, or exploit details are provided in the source bundle.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux systems running affected kernel versions with the clocking-wizard driver present and exercised. The source bundle lists Linux 5.13 and later affected entries, with stable fixes referenced across maintained branches. Distribution kernels may differ due to backports.

Exploitation context

No CISA KEV listing or cited source indicates active exploitation. The described condition depends on a driver registration failure path and could cause a kernel Oops. Public sources do not establish remote reachability, privilege requirements, or practical exploitability.

Researcher notes

The record lacks CVSS, CWE, and detailed affected-version ranges. Analysis should focus on the stable commits and downstream vendor backports. Avoid assuming exploitability beyond the documented error-pointer dereference and kernel Oops condition.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a vendor kernel containing the referenced Linux stable fixes.
  • Check distribution advisories for backported fixes and supported package versions.
  • If updates are delayed, review vendor guidance for safely disabling unused clocking-wizard support.
  • Prioritize systems where this driver is enabled or tied to critical availability.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions and distribution build identifiers.
  • Confirm whether the clocking-wizard driver is enabled or loaded on relevant systems.
  • Verify the kernel includes one of the referenced stable commits or vendor backport.
  • Review kernel logs for Oops messages involving clk_wzrd_register_divider.
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.

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CVE-2023-53807 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
LinuxLinux5a853722eb32188647a541802d51d0db423b9baf, 5a853722eb32188647a541802d51d0db423b9baf, 5a853722eb32188647a541802d51d0db423b9baf, 5a853722eb32188647a541802d51d0db423b9baf, 5a853722eb32188647a541802d51d0db423b9bafunaffected
LinuxLinux5.13, 0, 5.15.121, 6.1.39, 6.3.13, 6.4.4, 6.5affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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