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CVE Record

CVE-2023-53861: ext4: correct grp validation in ext4_mb_good_group

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ext4: correct grp validation in ext4_mb_good_group Group corruption check will access memory of grp and will trigger kernel crash if grp is NULL. So do NULL check before corruption check.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2023-53861 is a Linux kernel ext4 filesystem bug that can crash the kernel when internal group validation touches a NULL group pointer. The public record does not provide CVSS, CWE, or active exploitation evidence, so business urgency depends on where affected Linux kernels handle ext4 filesystems.

Executive priority

Treat as a patch-management item for Linux infrastructure rather than an emergency internet-exposed exploit, unless critical systems mount untrusted ext4 filesystems. Prioritize production hosts where a kernel crash would cause meaningful outage.

Technical view

The resolved kernel change moves a NULL check before ext4 group corruption validation in ext4_mb_good_group. Without that check, grp can be NULL and the corruption check can dereference it, causing a kernel crash. The source identifies Linux kernel versions and stable commits but does not describe privilege requirements or attack prerequisites.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most relevant to Linux systems running affected kernel builds with ext4 enabled or mounted. Risk is higher for systems that process removable, tenant-controlled, or otherwise untrusted ext4 filesystems. Distribution backports may change version mapping, so validate against vendor kernel advisories.

Exploitation context

The source bundle states KEV is false and provides no cited evidence of active exploitation. The described impact is a kernel crash condition, suggesting denial of service rather than confirmed code execution. Exploitability details are incomplete in the provided sources.

Researcher notes

The evidence supports a NULL pointer dereference in ext4 group validation fixed by stable kernel commits. Public metadata lacks CVSS, CWE, attacker model, and confirmed exploitation. Avoid assuming remote reachability or privilege escalation without additional vendor analysis.

Mitigation direction

  • Update affected Linux kernels through the distribution or vendor update channel.
  • Confirm the update includes one of the referenced stable kernel fixes.
  • Check vendor guidance for branch-specific fixed versions and backports.
  • Limit mounting or processing untrusted ext4 filesystems until patched.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, appliances, and container hosts.
  • Identify systems using ext4 or mounting external ext4 media or images.
  • Map running kernels to vendor-fixed builds or referenced stable commits.
  • Review kernel logs for ext4-related oops, panic, or crash events.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
8

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.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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CVE-2023-53861 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
7Source 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
LinuxLinux100c0ad6c04597fefeaaba2bb1827cc015d95067, 620a3c28221bb219b81bc0bffd065cc187494302, b4319e457d6e3fb33e443efeaf4634fc36e8a9ed, 5354b2af34064a4579be8bc0e2f15a7b70f14b5f, 5354b2af34064a4579be8bc0e2f15a7b70f14b5f, 5354b2af34064a4579be8bc0e2f15a7b70f14b5f, 31668cebf45adfb6283e465e641c4f5a21b07afa, 5.10.181, 5.15.113, 6.1.30, 6.3.4unaffected
LinuxLinux6.4, 0, 5.10.195, 5.15.132, 6.1.53, 6.4.16, 6.5.3, 6.6affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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