CVE-2023-53341 of/fdt: run soc memory setup when early_init_dt_scan_memory fails
A logic error in Linux kernel memory initialization causes a kernel panic on specific boards, resulting in a denial of service during boot.
- 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-2023-53341?
CVE-2023-53341 is a medium-severity denial of service vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 17 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:
of/fdt: run soc memory setup when early_init_dt_scan_memory fails
If memory has been found early_init_dt_scan_memory now returns 1. If it hasn't found any memory it will return 0, allowing other memory setup mechanisms to carry on.
Previously early_init_dt_scan_memory always returned 0 without distinguishing between any kind of memory setup being done or not. Any code path after the early_init_dt_scan memory call in the ramips plat_mem_setup code wouldn't be executed anymore. Making early_init_dt_scan_memory the only way to initialize the memory.
Some boards, including my mt7621 based Cudy X6 board, depend on memory initialization being done via the soc_info.mem_detect function pointer. Those wouldn't be able to obtain memory and panic the kernel during early bootup with the message "early_init_dt_alloc_memory_arch: Failed to allocate 12416 bytes align=0x40".
Weakness: CWE-908
Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-53341?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2023-53341?
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-2023-53341 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-53341 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2023-53341, DEBIAN-CVE-2023-53341, GHSA-h68c-38x6-5x45, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-53341.