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CVE Record

CVE-2023-54041: io_uring: fix memory leak when removing provided buffers

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: io_uring: fix memory leak when removing provided buffers When removing provided buffers, io_buffer structs are not being disposed of, leading to a memory leak. They can't be freed individually, because they are allocated in page-sized groups. They need to be added to some free list instead, such as io_buffers_cache. All callers already hold the lock protecting it, apart from when destroying buffers, so had to extend the lock there.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2023-54041 is a Linux kernel io_uring memory leak. Removing provided buffers failed to return io_buffer structures to the kernel’s buffer cache. The public record does not show code execution, privilege escalation, or active exploitation. Business urgency depends on whether exposed systems allow workloads to use io_uring and run affected kernel builds.

Executive priority

Treat as a planned kernel maintenance item, with faster handling for shared or untrusted workload platforms. There is no cited active exploitation or severity score in the provided sources, but kernel memory leaks can affect reliability and are costly to investigate after symptoms appear.

Technical view

The flaw is in Linux kernel io_uring provided-buffer removal. io_buffer objects are allocated in page-sized groups, so freeing them individually is not valid; the fix returns them to io_buffers_cache and extends locking during buffer destruction. The supplied sources provide commit references but no CVSS, CWE, exploitability details, or distro package mapping.

Likely exposure

Linux systems running affected kernel versions or downstream kernels carrying the vulnerable io_uring code may be exposed. Internet exposure is indirect; exploitation would likely require local code execution or a workload able to exercise io_uring buffer registration and removal paths.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not cite public exploitation, KEV listing, exploit code, or weaponized activity. Impact evidence is limited to a kernel memory leak. Potential operational concern is resource exhaustion or stability degradation, but the bundle does not prove a practical denial-of-service scenario.

Researcher notes

Evidence is sparse. The CVE describes a resolved Linux kernel memory leak and links three stable commits. The bundle does not provide CVSS, CWE, reproducer, affected distro packages, or proof of exploitability. Avoid overstating impact beyond memory leakage and possible resource pressure.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply kernel updates that include the referenced upstream stable fixes.
  • Check your Linux distribution’s advisory for exact package versions.
  • Prioritize multi-tenant, container-hosting, and untrusted workload systems.
  • Consider restricting io_uring where vendor-supported and operationally acceptable.
  • Monitor hosts for abnormal kernel memory growth until patched.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, containers hosts, and appliances.
  • Compare running kernels against distribution advisories for CVE-2023-54041.
  • Confirm whether vendor kernels include the referenced stable commits.
  • Review whether untrusted users or workloads can use io_uring.
  • After patching, verify systems boot the updated kernel.
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

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-2023-54041 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
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
LinuxLinuxcc3cec8367cba76a8ae4c271eba8450f3efc1ba3, cc3cec8367cba76a8ae4c271eba8450f3efc1ba3, cc3cec8367cba76a8ae4c271eba8450f3efc1ba3unaffected
LinuxLinux5.18, 0, 6.1.24, 6.2.11, 6.3affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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