CVE-2023-53731
- Published: 2025-10-22T14:15:48.423
- Last modified: 1761167568
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
netlink: fix potential deadlock in netlink_set_err()
syzbot reported a possible deadlock in netlink_set_err() [1]
A similar issue was fixed in commit 1d482e666b8e (“netlink: disable IRQs
for netlink_lock_table()”) in netlink_lock_table()
This patch adds IRQ safety to netlink_set_err() and __netlink_diag_dump()
which were not covered by cited commit.
[1]
WARNING: possible irq lock inversion dependency detected
6.4.0-rc6-syzkaller-00240-g4e9f0ec38852 #0 Not tainted
syz-executor.2/23011 just changed the state of lock:
ffffffff8e1a7a58 (nl_table_lock){.+.?}-{2:2}, at: netlink_set_err+0x2e/0x3a0 net/netlink/af_netlink.c:1612
but this lock was taken by another, SOFTIRQ-safe lock in the past:
(&local->queue_stop_reason_lock){..-.}-{2:2}
and interrupts could create inverse lock ordering between them.
other info that might help us debug this:
Possible interrupt unsafe locking scenario:
CPU0 CPU1
—- —-
lock(nl_table_lock);
local_irq_disable();
lock(&local->queue_stop_reason_lock);
lock(nl_table_lock);
lock(&local->queue_stop_reason_lock);
*** DEADLOCK ***
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How to fix CVE-2023-53731
Description: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netlink: fix potential deadlock in netlink_set_err() syzbot reported a possible deadlock in netlink_set_err() [1] A similar issue was fixed in commit 1d482e666b8e (“netlink: disable IRQs for netlink_lock_table()”) in netlink_lock_table() This patch adds IRQ safety to netlink_set_err() and __netlink_diag_dump() which were not covered by cited commit. […]
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
Exploit Difficulty Assessment
Vulnerability Timeline
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CVE details were updated
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No vendor/product data available.