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CVE Record

CVE-2023-54154: scsi: target: core: Fix target_cmd_counter leak

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: scsi: target: core: Fix target_cmd_counter leak The target_cmd_counter struct allocated via target_alloc_cmd_counter() is never freed, resulting in leaks across various transport types, e.g.: unreferenced object 0xffff88801f920120 (size 96): comm "sh", pid 102, jiffies 4294892535 (age 713.412s) hex dump (first 32 bytes): 07 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................ 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 38 01 92 1f 80 88 ff ff ........8....... backtrace: [<00000000e58a6252>] kmalloc_trace+0x11/0x20 [<0000000043af4b2f>] target_alloc_cmd_counter+0x17/0x90 [target_core_mod] [<000000007da2dfa7>] target_setup_session+0x2d/0x140 [target_core_mod] [<0000000068feef86>] tcm_loop_tpg_nexus_store+0x19b/0x350 [tcm_loop] [<000000006a80e021>] configfs_write_iter+0xb1/0x120 [<00000000e9f4d860>] vfs_write+0x2e4/0x3c0 [<000000008143433b>] ksys_write+0x80/0xb0 [<00000000a7df29b2>] do_syscall_64+0x42/0x90 [<0000000053f45fb8>] entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x6e/0xd8 Free the structure alongside the corresponding iscsit_conn / se_sess parent.

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 memory leak in the SCSI target subsystem. Repeated target session activity can leave small kernel allocations behind instead of freeing them. The sources do not provide CVSS, impact severity, or evidence of active exploitation, so business urgency depends on whether affected kernels are used for storage target services.

Executive priority

Treat as a targeted infrastructure hygiene item, not an emergency, unless affected kernels support business-critical storage target services. Prioritize patch validation on storage hosts because kernel memory leaks can degrade availability over time.

Technical view

The flaw is a missing free for target_cmd_counter allocated by target_alloc_cmd_counter(). The leak is described across transport types and is fixed by freeing the structure with its iscsit_conn or se_sess parent. Evidence is limited to the CVE record and Linux stable commit references.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most relevant to Linux systems running affected kernel versions with SCSI target functionality present or in use, such as target_core_mod-related storage target deployments. Systems without this kernel path enabled are less likely exposed, but version and module usage should be verified.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not cite active exploitation, public exploit use, or KEV listing. The example trace shows allocation through target session setup paths and configfs interaction, but the bundle does not establish attacker prerequisites or remote exploitability.

Researcher notes

The record lacks CVSS, CWE, detailed affected-version ranges, and exploitability analysis. Focus validation on kernel lineage, module use, and whether vendor packages include the stable commits. Avoid assuming reachability beyond the documented target session paths.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a kernel package containing the referenced Linux stable fixes.
  • Check distribution advisories for backported fixes matching CVE-2023-54154.
  • Disable unused SCSI target services where operationally feasible.
  • Monitor kernel memory behavior on exposed storage target hosts.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions against vendor fixed packages or stable commits.
  • Check whether SCSI target modules or services are loaded or configured.
  • Confirm patched kernels include the referenced target_cmd_counter free changes.
  • Review monitoring for abnormal kernel memory growth on storage target systems.
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.

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CVE-2023-54154 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
LinuxLinux76b77646f17118f5babe93c032e6b7a53bbde3b9, becd9be6069e7b183c084f460f0eb363e43cc487, becd9be6069e7b183c084f460f0eb363e43cc487, bc5ebf93ae23a928303b3643c6f4c4da2f769e7c, 1eaaf1b828cdaa58abccc68962d24005fd5e8852, 6.1.28, 6.2.15, 6.3.2unaffected
LinuxLinux6.4, 0, 6.1.55, 6.5.5, 6.6affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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