CVE-2023-53301 f2fs: fix kernel crash due to null io->bio

High 7.1 Published Updated

A null pointer dereference in the f2fs filesystem can cause a kernel panic, leading to a denial of service.

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-2023-53301?

CVE-2023-53301 is a high-severity 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:

f2fs: fix kernel crash due to null io->bio

We should return when io->bio is null before doing anything. Otherwise, panic.

BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000010 RIP: 0010:__submit_merged_write_cond+0x164/0x240 [f2fs] Call Trace: <TASK> f2fs_submit_merged_write+0x1d/0x30 [f2fs] commit_checkpoint+0x110/0x1e0 [f2fs] f2fs_write_checkpoint+0x9f7/0xf00 [f2fs] ? __pfx_issue_checkpoint_thread+0x10/0x10 [f2fs] __checkpoint_and_complete_reqs+0x84/0x190 [f2fs] ? preempt_count_add+0x82/0xc0 ? __pfx_issue_checkpoint_thread+0x10/0x10 [f2fs] issue_checkpoint_thread+0x4c/0xf0 [f2fs] ? __pfx_autoremove_wake_function+0x10/0x10 kthread+0xff/0x130 ? __pfx_kthread+0x10/0x10 ret_from_fork+0x2c/0x50 </TASK>

Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-53301?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Linux kernel.

How do I fix CVE-2023-53301?

Apply the vendor's patch.

Is CVE-2023-53301 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-53301 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Linux kernel vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as BELL-CVE-2023-53301, DEBIAN-CVE-2023-53301, GHSA-hg25-38jx-wr4p, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-53301.

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