CVE-2023-53253 HID: nvidia-shield: Reference hid_device devm allocation of input_dev name
A use-after-free in the Linux kernel NVIDIA Shield HID driver allows attackers to potentially execute code or escalate privileges via device unregistration.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2023-53253?
CVE-2023-53253 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:
HID: nvidia-shield: Reference hid_device devm allocation of input_dev name
Use hid_device for devm allocation of the input_dev name to avoid a use-after-free. input_unregister_device would trigger devres cleanup of all resources associated with the input_dev, free-ing the name. The name would subsequently be used in a uevent fired at the end of unregistering the input_dev.
Weakness: CWE-416
Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-53253?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2023-53253?
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-2023-53253 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-53253 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2023-53253, DEBIAN-CVE-2023-53253, GHSA-2px4-3jpx-h38h, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-53253.