CVE-2023-53446
- Published: 2025-09-18T16:15:48.940
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.:
# echo 1 > /sys/bus/pci/devices/0000:03:00.0/remove
# echo powersave > /sys/module/pcie_aspm/parameters/policy
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]
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How to fix CVE-2023-53446
Description: 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.: […]
Exploit Difficulty: HARD
⏱️ Time to exploit: > 4 hours
🛠️ Required skills: Advanced security expertise
💰 Public exploits: Rare or not public
How to Fix:
- Check if you're running the affected product
- Update to the latest patched version
- If patching is not immediately possible: restrict network exposure, apply least-privilege access
- Test the fix in a staging environment first
- Review logs for signs of exploitation
- Monitor for IOCs (Indicators of Compromise)
- Enable automatic security updates
- Set up vulnerability monitoring
- Review and harden security configurations
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