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CVE Record

CVE-2023-54138: drm/msm: fix NULL-deref on irq uninstall

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: drm/msm: fix NULL-deref on irq uninstall In case of early initialisation errors and on platforms that do not use the DPU controller, the deinitilisation code can be called with the kms pointer set to NULL. Patchwork: https://patchwork.freedesktop.org/patch/525104/

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Linux kernel issue can crash a system component when the Qualcomm/MSM graphics driver cleanup path runs after early initialization failures. The public record describes a NULL pointer dereference, not data theft or remote code execution. Business urgency depends on whether affected kernels and relevant MSM graphics hardware or platforms are in use.

Executive priority

Handle through normal kernel patch management unless your environment relies on Qualcomm/MSM graphics platforms. There is no source-provided evidence of active exploitation or remote compromise, but kernel crash risk can still affect device availability.

Technical view

CVE-2023-54138 is a Linux kernel drm/msm NULL dereference during IRQ uninstall. The deinitialization path may be called with the kms pointer set to NULL, including early initialization failures and platforms not using the DPU controller. Stable kernel commits are referenced as fixes, but CVSS, CWE, and detailed impact are not provided.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on Linux systems running affected kernel versions with the drm/msm driver path present. The source lists Linux kernel 5.15 through 6.4-related affected version data, but does not provide CPEs, distributions, hardware models, or package names.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show KEV listing, active exploitation, exploit availability, or attacker prerequisites. The described failure mode is a kernel NULL dereference in driver teardown, so the defensible assumption is potential denial of service until vendor guidance clarifies impact.

Researcher notes

The record is sparse: no CVSS, CWE, exploit status, prerequisites, or distribution mappings are supplied. Treat affected-version data carefully and validate against the exact kernel tree or vendor package because stable backports may change exposure conclusions.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a vendor or stable kernel containing the referenced drm/msm fix.
  • Prioritize systems using Qualcomm/MSM graphics or kernels with drm/msm enabled.
  • Check Linux distribution advisories for backported fixes and package-specific status.
  • Avoid assuming unaffected status from upstream version alone; vendors may backport patches.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory running kernel versions across Linux hosts and devices.
  • Check whether drm/msm support is built in or loaded as a module.
  • Confirm the deployed kernel includes one of the referenced stable fixes or a vendor backport.
  • Review kernel crash logs for drm/msm NULL dereference symptoms during initialization or teardown.
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

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.

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CVE-2023-54138 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
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
LinuxLinuxf026e431cf861197dc03217d1920b38b80b31dd9, f026e431cf861197dc03217d1920b38b80b31dd9, f026e431cf861197dc03217d1920b38b80b31dd9, f026e431cf861197dc03217d1920b38b80b31dd9, f026e431cf861197dc03217d1920b38b80b31dd9unaffected
LinuxLinux5.15, 0, 5.15.112, 6.1.29, 6.2.16, 6.3.3, 6.4affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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