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CVE Record

CVE-2023-53853: netlink: annotate accesses to nlk->cb_running

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netlink: annotate accesses to nlk->cb_running Both netlink_recvmsg() and netlink_native_seq_show() read nlk->cb_running locklessly. Use READ_ONCE() there. Add corresponding WRITE_ONCE() to netlink_dump() and __netlink_dump_start() syzbot reported: BUG: KCSAN: data-race in __netlink_dump_start / netlink_recvmsg write to 0xffff88813ea4db59 of 1 bytes by task 28219 on cpu 0: __netlink_dump_start+0x3af/0x4d0 net/netlink/af_netlink.c:2399 netlink_dump_start include/linux/netlink.h:308 [inline] rtnetlink_rcv_msg+0x70f/0x8c0 net/core/rtnetlink.c:6130 netlink_rcv_skb+0x126/0x220 net/netlink/af_netlink.c:2577 rtnetlink_rcv+0x1c/0x20 net/core/rtnetlink.c:6192 netlink_unicast_kernel net/netlink/af_netlink.c:1339 [inline] netlink_unicast+0x56f/0x640 net/netlink/af_netlink.c:1365 netlink_sendmsg+0x665/0x770 net/netlink/af_netlink.c:1942 sock_sendmsg_nosec net/socket.c:724 [inline] sock_sendmsg net/socket.c:747 [inline] sock_write_iter+0x1aa/0x230 net/socket.c:1138 call_write_iter include/linux/fs.h:1851 [inline] new_sync_write fs/read_write.c:491 [inline] vfs_write+0x463/0x760 fs/read_write.c:584 ksys_write+0xeb/0x1a0 fs/read_write.c:637 __do_sys_write fs/read_write.c:649 [inline] __se_sys_write fs/read_write.c:646 [inline] __x64_sys_write+0x42/0x50 fs/read_write.c:646 do_syscall_x64 arch/x86/entry/common.c:50 [inline] do_syscall_64+0x41/0xc0 arch/x86/entry/common.c:80 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x63/0xcd read to 0xffff88813ea4db59 of 1 bytes by task 28222 on cpu 1: netlink_recvmsg+0x3b4/0x730 net/netlink/af_netlink.c:2022 sock_recvmsg_nosec+0x4c/0x80 net/socket.c:1017 ____sys_recvmsg+0x2db/0x310 net/socket.c:2718 ___sys_recvmsg net/socket.c:2762 [inline] do_recvmmsg+0x2e5/0x710 net/socket.c:2856 __sys_recvmmsg net/socket.c:2935 [inline] __do_sys_recvmmsg net/socket.c:2958 [inline] __se_sys_recvmmsg net/socket.c:2951 [inline] __x64_sys_recvmmsg+0xe2/0x160 net/socket.c:2951 do_syscall_x64 arch/x86/entry/common.c:50 [inline] do_syscall_64+0x41/0xc0 arch/x86/entry/common.c:80 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x63/0xcd value changed: 0x00 -> 0x01

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2023-53853 is a Linux kernel netlink data-race issue found by syzbot/KCSAN. Public sources show a kernel fix, but do not describe real-world impact, exploitability, or active attacks. Treat it as a kernel maintenance risk until vendor advisories provide clearer severity.

Executive priority

Handle through normal kernel patch management unless a vendor rates it higher for your environment. There is no cited active exploitation, but kernel bugs deserve timely remediation because delayed kernel patching compounds operational risk.

Technical view

The issue involves lockless reads of nlk->cb_running in netlink_recvmsg() and netlink_native_seq_show(), racing with writes in netlink_dump() and __netlink_dump_start(). The fix annotates accesses with READ_ONCE() and WRITE_ONCE() in Linux netlink code.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to systems running affected Linux kernel versions or stable branches identified by vendor advisories. The bundle lists Linux as affected, but does not provide distribution package mappings or CPEs.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not cite exploitation in the wild, proof-of-concept use, or CISA KEV listing. The evidence is a race report and upstream stable fixes, not a confirmed attack path.

Researcher notes

Available evidence supports a data-race fix in Linux netlink code. The bundle lacks CVSS, CWE, CPEs, impact classification, privilege requirements, crash evidence, or exploitability analysis. Do not infer compromise potential beyond the cited race condition.

Mitigation direction

  • Check Linux distribution advisories for fixed kernel packages.
  • Apply kernel updates containing the referenced upstream stable fixes.
  • Prioritize systems where kernel updates are routinely deferred.
  • Reboot or live-patch according to vendor kernel update guidance.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory running Linux kernel versions across managed systems.
  • Map installed kernel packages to vendor fixed versions.
  • Confirm updated kernel source includes READ_ONCE/WRITE_ONCE changes for nlk->cb_running.
  • Track the CVE for later CVSS or distribution severity updates.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
10

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-2023-53853 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
9Source 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
LinuxLinux16b304f3404f8e0243d5ee2b70b68767b7b59b2b, 16b304f3404f8e0243d5ee2b70b68767b7b59b2b, 16b304f3404f8e0243d5ee2b70b68767b7b59b2b, 16b304f3404f8e0243d5ee2b70b68767b7b59b2b, 16b304f3404f8e0243d5ee2b70b68767b7b59b2b, 16b304f3404f8e0243d5ee2b70b68767b7b59b2b, 16b304f3404f8e0243d5ee2b70b68767b7b59b2b, 16b304f3404f8e0243d5ee2b70b68767b7b59b2bunaffected
LinuxLinux3.12, 0, 4.14.316, 4.19.284, 5.4.244, 5.10.181, 5.15.113, 6.1.30, 6.3.4, 6.4affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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