Summary
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: PCI/ASPM: Disable ASPM on...
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
PCI/ASPM: Disable ASPM on MFD function removal to avoid use-after-free
Struct pcie_link_state->downstream is a pointer to the pci_dev of function
0. Previously we retained that pointer when removing function 0, and
subsequent ASPM policy changes dereferenced it, resulting in a
use-after-free warning from KASAN, e.g.:
BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in pcie_config_aspm_link+0x42d/0x500
Call Trace:
kasan_report+0xae/0xe0
pcie_config_aspm_link+0x42d/0x500
pcie_aspm_set_policy+0x8e/0x1a0
param_attr_store+0x162/0x2c0
module_attr_store+0x3e/0x80
PCIe spec r6.0, sec 7.5.3.7, recommends that software program the same ASPM
Control value in all functions of multi-function devices.
Disable ASPM and free the pcie_link_state when any child function is
removed so we can discard the dangling pcie_link_state->downstream pointer
and maintain the same ASPM Control configuration for all functions.
[bhelgaas: commit log and comment]
Impact
Memory is accessed after it has been freed, leading to undefined behavior in native code. Typical impact: memory corruption, crash, or potential code execution.
CVE-2023-53446 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (High). The vector is requires local access, low privileges required, and no user interaction. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment. No fixed version is listed yet, so configuration controls and monitoring matter more in the interim.
Affected versions
Security releases
Kodem intelligence
Severity tells you how bad this could be in the worst case. It does not tell you whether you are exposed. Exploitability and impact are functions of runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A vulnerable package can sit in your dependency tree and never run.
Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter. Kodem's runtime-powered SCA identifies whether this CVE is reachable in your applications.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is CVE-2023-53446? CVE-2023-53446 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability. No fixed version is listed yet. Memory is accessed after it has been freed, leading to undefined behavior in native code.
- How severe is CVE-2023-53446? CVE-2023-53446 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (High). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
- Is there a fix for CVE-2023-53446? No fixed version is listed for CVE-2023-53446 yet. Monitor the advisory for updates and apply mitigations in the interim.
- Is CVE-2023-53446 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2023-53446 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
- What actually determines whether CVE-2023-53446 is exploitable, and how bad it is? Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.