LiveActive security incident?Get immediate response
CVE Record

CVE-2023-54009: i2c: cadence: cdns_i2c_master_xfer(): Fix runtime PM leak on error path

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: i2c: cadence: cdns_i2c_master_xfer(): Fix runtime PM leak on error path The cdns_i2c_master_xfer() function gets a runtime PM reference when the function is entered. This reference is released when the function is exited. There is currently one error path where the function exits directly, which leads to a leak of the runtime PM reference. Make sure that this error path also releases the runtime PM reference.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Discuss exposureBack to CVEs
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2023-54009 is a Linux kernel defect in the Cadence I2C driver. On one transfer error path, the driver fails to release a runtime power-management reference. This is a resource-management bug, not a disclosed remote code execution issue.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted kernel maintenance item unless your environment relies on Cadence I2C hardware. There is no source-backed evidence of active exploitation, but affected embedded or appliance platforms should receive vendor kernel updates through normal patch governance.

Technical view

The issue is in cdns_i2c_master_xfer(). The function acquires a runtime PM reference on entry and normally releases it on exit. One direct error return skipped that release, causing a runtime PM reference leak. Kernel stable commits correct the error path to release the reference.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on Linux systems using the Cadence I2C controller driver, commonly relevant to embedded or SoC-based hardware. The source bundle does not provide CVSS, CWE, CPEs, or a precise product matrix beyond Linux kernel version data and stable fix references.

Exploitation context

The bundle does not indicate active exploitation, public exploit availability, or KEV listing. The described impact is a driver runtime power-management reference leak triggered on an error path, but the sources do not document attacker prerequisites or practical exploitability.

Researcher notes

The main uncertainty is impact characterization. The CVE text documents a concrete bug and fix but omits CVSS, CWE, exploitability, and detailed affected-version semantics. Analysis should focus on driver reachability, hardware presence, and whether downstream kernels backported the stable patches.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a kernel containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Check distribution or device-vendor advisories for patched kernel packages.
  • Prioritize systems using Cadence I2C hardware or driver support.
  • If patching is delayed, assess whether the driver is present and active.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm the running kernel includes one referenced stable commit or downstream backport.
  • Review vendor kernel changelogs for CVE-2023-54009 or the fix title.
  • Inventory systems with Cadence I2C controller support enabled.
  • Confirm no unsupported custom kernel is missing the runtime PM fix.
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

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2023-54009 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

Open ATT&CK lookup
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
LinuxLinux1a351b10b9671fc2fac767c40a1c4373b9bf5092, 1a351b10b9671fc2fac767c40a1c4373b9bf5092, 1a351b10b9671fc2fac767c40a1c4373b9bf5092, 1a351b10b9671fc2fac767c40a1c4373b9bf5092, 1a351b10b9671fc2fac767c40a1c4373b9bf5092, 1a351b10b9671fc2fac767c40a1c4373b9bf5092unaffected
LinuxLinux5.8, 0, 5.10.180, 5.15.111, 6.1.28, 6.2.15, 6.3.2, 6.4affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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