CVE-2023-53318 recordmcount: Fix memory leaks in the uwrite function

Medium 5.5 Published Updated

A memory leak in the Linux kernel's recordmcount tool can lead to resource exhaustion and 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-2023-53318?

CVE-2023-53318 is a medium-severity denial of service 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:

recordmcount: Fix memory leaks in the uwrite function

Common realloc mistake: 'file_append' nulled but not freed upon failure

Weakness: CWE-401

Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-53318?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Linux kernel.

How do I fix CVE-2023-53318?

Apply the vendor's patch.

Upgrade, then put limits on request size, rate and nesting depth so one client cannot exhaust the service. More about Denial of service.

Is CVE-2023-53318 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-53318 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Linux kernel vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as BELL-CVE-2023-53318, DEBIAN-CVE-2023-53318, GHSA-2q38-88hx-3qf7, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-53318.

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