CVE-2023-53397 modpost: fix off by one in is_executable_section()

Medium 5.5 Published Updated

An off-by-one error in the Linux kernel modpost tool allows out-of-bounds array access, potentially causing 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-2023-53397?

CVE-2023-53397 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 18 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:

modpost: fix off by one in is_executable_section()

The > comparison should be >= to prevent an out of bounds array access.

Weakness: CWE-193

Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-53397?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Linux kernel.

How do I fix CVE-2023-53397?

Apply the vendor's patch.

Is CVE-2023-53397 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-53397 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Linux kernel vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as BELL-CVE-2023-53397, DEBIAN-CVE-2023-53397, GHSA-4c73-vgp7-gjq5, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-53397.

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