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CVE Record

CVE-2023-53850: iavf: use internal state to free traffic IRQs

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: iavf: use internal state to free traffic IRQs If the system tries to close the netdev while iavf_reset_task() is running, __LINK_STATE_START will be cleared and netif_running() will return false in iavf_reinit_interrupt_scheme(). This will result in iavf_free_traffic_irqs() not being called and a leak as follows: [7632.489326] remove_proc_entry: removing non-empty directory 'irq/999', leaking at least 'iavf-enp24s0f0v0-TxRx-0' [7632.490214] WARNING: CPU: 0 PID: 10 at fs/proc/generic.c:718 remove_proc_entry+0x19b/0x1b0 is shown when pci_disable_msix() is later called. Fix by using the internal adapter state. The traffic IRQs will always exist if state == __IAVF_RUNNING.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysislow

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2023-53850 is a Linux kernel driver defect in iavf, used for Intel Ethernet virtual functions. When a network device is closed during a reset, interrupt cleanup can be skipped, causing leaked IRQ proc entries and kernel warnings. The sources show a reliability and operations issue, not evidence of data theft or active exploitation.

Executive priority

Treat as a low-priority reliability fix unless affected systems show kernel warnings or network driver instability. Patch through normal kernel maintenance, with higher priority for production virtualization or network-intensive hosts using iavf.

Technical view

In iavf_reinit_interrupt_scheme(), using netif_running() can miss cleanup after __LINK_STATE_START is cleared during concurrent netdev close and iavf_reset_task(). iavf_free_traffic_irqs() may not run, leaving traffic IRQ artifacts until pci_disable_msix() triggers warnings. The fix changes cleanup gating to the adapter internal state when __IAVF_RUNNING indicates traffic IRQs exist.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux systems running affected kernel builds with the iavf driver and relevant Intel virtual function networking. The bundle lists Linux kernel versions including 4.15, 6.1.42, 6.4.7, and 6.5 as affected, with stable kernel fixes referenced.

Exploitation context

The provided sources do not report active exploitation, KEV listing, exploit code, privilege impact, or remote attack path. The described condition is a race during device close and reset that causes cleanup failure and resource leakage.

Researcher notes

Evidence is narrow but consistent: a cleanup race in iavf traffic IRQ handling. No CVSS, CWE, exploitability detail, or distribution-specific status is provided. Avoid assuming broader kernel compromise without additional vendor analysis.

Mitigation direction

  • Inventory Linux hosts using the iavf network driver.
  • Apply vendor kernel updates containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Check distribution advisories for backported iavf fixes.
  • Prioritize virtualization hosts or workloads dependent on Intel virtual function networking.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm running kernels include one referenced fix or vendor backport.
  • Verify whether iavf is loaded on affected hosts.
  • Review kernel logs for remove_proc_entry irq leak warnings.
  • After updating, confirm the warning no longer appears during normal operations.
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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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
LinuxLinux5b36e8d04b4439c9ceb814bfdfe1284737f9c632, 5b36e8d04b4439c9ceb814bfdfe1284737f9c632, 5b36e8d04b4439c9ceb814bfdfe1284737f9c632unaffected
LinuxLinux4.15, 0, 6.1.42, 6.4.7, 6.5affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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