Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Linux kernel Wi-Fi bug can deadlock a CPU while handling mac80211 transmit queue locking. The reported impact is availability: CPU reset, Wi-Fi device reset, or a full hang in single-core scenarios. There is no source evidence of active exploitation or data theft.
Executive priority
Treat this as a reliability and availability issue, not a proven breach vector. Patch through normal kernel maintenance, with higher urgency for Wi-Fi-dependent endpoints, appliances, or remote sites where hangs create operational impact.
Technical view
CVE-2023-54288 is a mac80211 locking flaw in ieee80211_tx_dequeue(). An interrupt could occur while queue_stop_reason_lock was held, then re-enter code that tried to take the same lock. The upstream fix changes the remaining lock path to disable interrupts, preventing same-CPU deadlock.
Likely exposure
Exposure appears limited to Linux systems using the mac80211 Wi-Fi stack on affected kernel versions or downstream kernels missing the referenced stable fixes. Systems without Wi-Fi hardware, without mac80211 use, or already carrying the stable commits are unlikely to be exposed.
Exploitation context
The source describes a race condition with a small chance of occurrence, increased during ftrace testing. It does not describe a remote attacker, exploit prerequisites, public exploit code, or active exploitation. KEV is false in the provided bundle.
Researcher notes
The affected-version data in the bundle is not fully self-explanatory, including commit hashes and broad kernel version entries. Use the CVE record plus stable commits as anchors, then rely on downstream vendor backport status for production exposure decisions.
Mitigation direction
- Update to a vendor kernel containing the referenced stable fixes.
- Check Linux distribution advisories for exact fixed package versions.
- Prioritize systems where Wi-Fi is operationally important or hard to reboot.
- If patching is delayed, follow vendor guidance for reducing Wi-Fi stack exposure.
- Avoid assuming mainline version numbers map cleanly to downstream kernels.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Linux kernels and identify systems using mac80211 Wi-Fi.
- Compare deployed kernels against vendor fixed versions or referenced stable commits.
- Review kernel logs for lock warnings, Wi-Fi resets, CPU resets, or hangs.
- Confirm the update includes the queue_stop_reason_lock interrupt-safety fix.
- Retest affected Wi-Fi workflows after kernel maintenance.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
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
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CVE-2023-54288 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
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.
Vulnerability timeline
Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.
- CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
- CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
- CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c79d794a2cd76eca47b2491c5030be9a6418c5d6CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6df3eafa31b3ee4f0cba601ca857019964355034CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ef6e1997da63ad0ac3fe33153fec9524c9ae56c9CVE reference, Linux
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.