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CVE Record

CVE-2023-54066: media: dvb-usb-v2: gl861: Fix null-ptr-deref in gl861_i2c_master_xfer

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: media: dvb-usb-v2: gl861: Fix null-ptr-deref in gl861_i2c_master_xfer In gl861_i2c_master_xfer, msg is controlled by user. When msg[i].buf is null and msg[i].len is zero, former checks on msg[i].buf would be passed. Malicious data finally reach gl861_i2c_master_xfer. If accessing msg[i].buf[0] without sanity check, null ptr deref would happen. We add check on msg[i].len to prevent crash. Similar commit: commit 0ed554fd769a ("media: dvb-usb: az6027: fix null-ptr-deref in az6027_i2c_xfer()")

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is a Linux kernel flaw in the GL861 DVB USB media driver. A malformed user-controlled transfer can trigger a null pointer dereference and crash the kernel. The available sources indicate a denial-of-service risk, not data theft or remote code execution.

Executive priority

Treat as a targeted availability risk for Linux systems using this media driver. It should be patched through normal kernel maintenance, faster where affected hardware or untrusted local users are present.

Technical view

The issue is in gl861_i2c_master_xfer within media/dvb-usb-v2/gl861. If msg[i].buf is null and msg[i].len is zero, earlier checks can pass and later access to msg[i].buf[0] can dereference null. Stable kernel commits add a length check.

Likely exposure

Exposure is likely limited to Linux systems running affected kernel versions with the GL861 DVB USB driver reachable. Downstream distribution kernels may have backported fixes, so package version alone may not prove exposure.

Exploitation context

The CVE record says msg is user-controlled and malicious data can reach the vulnerable function. No supplied source states public exploitation, KEV listing, remote exploitation, privilege escalation, or code execution.

Researcher notes

The source evidence supports a null pointer dereference denial-of-service condition. Affected-version detail is incomplete in the bundle, and no CVSS or CWE is provided. Analysis should focus on driver reachability, kernel backports, and whether local users can trigger the vulnerable path.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply vendor or distribution kernel updates containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Prioritize systems using GL861 DVB USB media hardware or loading the gl861 driver.
  • If updates are unavailable, follow vendor guidance for disabling unused affected driver support.
  • Track distro advisories because Linux fixes may be backported without changing upstream version numbers.

Validation and detection

  • Check running kernel and distro advisory status against CVE-2023-54066.
  • Confirm whether the gl861 driver is present, loadable, or in active use.
  • Review kernel package changelogs for the referenced stable commit IDs.
  • Verify patched source includes a length check before accessing msg[i].buf[0].
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
7

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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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
6Source 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
LinuxLinux1ea76d16569b7fc242b860c7e19549be028b13d1, 1ea76d16569b7fc242b860c7e19549be028b13d1, 1ea76d16569b7fc242b860c7e19549be028b13d1, 1ea76d16569b7fc242b860c7e19549be028b13d1, 1ea76d16569b7fc242b860c7e19549be028b13d1unaffected
LinuxLinux5.5, 0, 5.10.197, 5.15.133, 6.1.55, 6.5.5, 6.6affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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