CVE-2023-53219 media: netup_unidvb: fix use-after-free at del_timer()
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel netup_unidvb driver allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges during device detachment.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2023-53219?
CVE-2023-53219 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 15 Sep 2025. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
media: netup_unidvb: fix use-after-free at del_timer()
When Universal DVB card is detaching, netup_unidvb_dma_fini() uses del_timer() to stop dma->timeout timer. But when timer handler netup_unidvb_dma_timeout() is running, del_timer() could not stop it. As a result, the use-after-free bug could happen. The process is shown below:
(cleanup routine) | (timer routine) | mod_timer(&dev->tx_sim_timer, ..) netup_unidvb_finidev() | (wait a time) netup_unidvb_dma_fini() | netup_unidvb_dma_timeout() del_timer(&dma->timeout); | | ndev->pci_dev->dev //USE
Fix by changing del_timer() to del_timer_sync().
Weakness: CWE-416
Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-53219?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2023-53219?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade to the fixed version. These bugs are found with fuzzing and sanitisers and avoided by memory-safe languages. More about Use after free.
Is CVE-2023-53219 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-53219 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2023-53219, DEBIAN-CVE-2023-53219, GHSA-76f5-923v-9jc3, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-53219.