CVE-2023-53298 nfc: fix memory leak of se_io context in nfc_genl_se_io
A memory leak in the Linux kernel NFC subsystem allows attackers to cause denial of service by triggering error paths that fail to free secure element context.
- 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-2023-53298?
CVE-2023-53298 is a medium-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:
nfc: fix memory leak of se_io context in nfc_genl_se_io
The callback context for sending/receiving APDUs to/from the selected secure element is allocated inside nfc_genl_se_io and supposed to be eventually freed in se_io_cb callback function. However, there are several error paths where the bwi_timer is not charged to call se_io_cb later, and the cb_context is leaked.
The patch proposes to free the cb_context explicitly on those error paths.
At the moment we can't simply check 'dev->ops->se_io()' return value as it may be negative in both cases: when the timer was charged and was not.
Weakness: CWE-401
Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-53298?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2023-53298?
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-2023-53298 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-53298 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2023-53298, DEBIAN-CVE-2023-53298, GHSA-jg3v-4f9w-62x2, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-53298.