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CVE Record

CVE-2023-54053: wifi: iwlwifi: pcie: fix possible NULL pointer dereference

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: iwlwifi: pcie: fix possible NULL pointer dereference It is possible that iwl_pci_probe() will fail and free the trans, then afterwards iwl_pci_remove() will be called and crash by trying to access trans which is already freed, fix it. iwlwifi 0000:01:00.0: Detected crf-id 0xa5a5a5a2, cnv-id 0xa5a5a5a2 wfpm id 0xa5a5a5a2 iwlwifi 0000:01:00.0: Can't find a correct rfid for crf id 0x5a2 ... BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000028 ... RIP: 0010:iwl_pci_remove+0x12/0x30 [iwlwifi] pci_device_remove+0x3e/0xb0 device_release_driver_internal+0x103/0x1f0 driver_detach+0x4c/0x90 bus_remove_driver+0x5c/0xd0 driver_unregister+0x31/0x50 pci_unregister_driver+0x40/0x90 iwl_pci_unregister_driver+0x15/0x20 [iwlwifi] __exit_compat+0x9/0x98 [iwlwifi] __x64_sys_delete_module+0x147/0x260

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is a Linux kernel driver crash issue in Intel iwlwifi PCIe handling. If driver probing fails, later removal can touch already-freed state and crash the kernel. The public record does not provide CVSS, attacker requirements, or evidence of exploitation.

Executive priority

Treat as a reliability and availability issue until vendor severity data says otherwise. Patch through normal Linux maintenance, with higher priority for fleets relying on Intel Wi-Fi or affected kernel branches.

Technical view

The iwlwifi PCIe path can free trans during iwl_pci_probe() failure, then iwl_pci_remove() may later dereference that freed or NULL state. The observed failure is a kernel NULL pointer dereference in iwl_pci_remove during module or driver removal. Stable kernel commits resolve the lifecycle bug.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux systems using the iwlwifi PCIe driver, typically Intel Wi-Fi hardware, on affected kernel builds. Exact impact depends on distribution backports and kernel packaging, which are not identified in the bundle.

Exploitation context

The sources show a crash scenario and mark KEV as false. They do not state active exploitation, remote reachability, privilege requirements, or a weaponizable path, so exploitation context remains incomplete.

Researcher notes

The record lacks CVSS, CWE, exploitability analysis, and distro-specific fixed versions. The strongest evidence is the kernel commit narrative and crash trace showing a driver cleanup lifetime bug.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply Linux kernel or distribution updates containing the referenced stable iwlwifi fixes.
  • Check your Linux vendor advisory for the exact fixed package version.
  • Prioritize systems with Intel Wi-Fi hardware using the iwlwifi PCIe driver.
  • If updates are delayed, follow vendor guidance for driver or hardware risk reduction.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions and distribution package release levels.
  • Identify systems loading the iwlwifi driver or using Intel PCIe Wi-Fi hardware.
  • Confirm the deployed kernel includes one of the referenced stable fixes or vendor backports.
  • Review kernel logs for iwlwifi probe failures and NULL dereference crashes.
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

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CVE-2023-54053 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
LinuxLinux809805a820c6445f7a701ded24fdc6bbc841d1e4, 809805a820c6445f7a701ded24fdc6bbc841d1e4, 809805a820c6445f7a701ded24fdc6bbc841d1e4, 809805a820c6445f7a701ded24fdc6bbc841d1e4, 809805a820c6445f7a701ded24fdc6bbc841d1e4, 809805a820c6445f7a701ded24fdc6bbc841d1e4unaffected
LinuxLinux5.4, 0, 5.4.244, 5.10.181, 5.15.113, 6.1.30, 6.3.4, 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.