CVE-2023-53330 caif: fix memory leak in cfctrl_linkup_request()

Medium 5.5 Published Updated

A memory leak in the Linux kernel CAIF subsystem allows attackers to cause a denial of service by triggering specific error paths.

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-2023-53330?

CVE-2023-53330 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:

caif: fix memory leak in cfctrl_linkup_request()

When linktype is unknown or kzalloc failed in cfctrl_linkup_request(), pkt is not released. Add release process to error path.

Weakness: CWE-401

Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-53330?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Linux kernel.

How do I fix CVE-2023-53330?

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-2023-53330 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-53330 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Linux kernel vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as BELL-CVE-2023-53330, DEBIAN-CVE-2023-53330, GHSA-pxv4-xvvx-325j, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-53330.

Is CVE-2023-53330 in your software?

Upload an SBOM and sbomify checks it against every vulnerability here, every day.

Check your SBOMs for free