CVE-2023-53285 ext4: add bounds checking in get_max_inline_xattr_value_size()
A missing bounds check in the Linux kernel ext4 filesystem allows out-of-bounds memory reads if the block device is modified while mounted, potentially causing crashes or data leaks.
- 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-2023-53285?
CVE-2023-53285 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 16 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:
ext4: add bounds checking in get_max_inline_xattr_value_size()
Normally the extended attributes in the inode body would have been checked when the inode is first opened, but if someone is writing to the block device while the file system is mounted, it's possible for the inode table to get corrupted. Add bounds checking to avoid reading beyond the end of allocated memory if this happens.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-53285?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2023-53285?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2023-53285 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-53285 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2023-53285, DEBIAN-CVE-2023-53285, GHSA-whjr-jhc6-c22f, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-53285.