CVE-2023-53555 mm/damon/core: initialize damo_filter->list from damos_new_filter()
A missing initialization in the Linux kernel DAMON subsystem causes a NULL pointer dereference, leading to a denial of service when adding multiple filters.
- 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-2023-53555?
CVE-2023-53555 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 4 Oct 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:
mm/damon/core: initialize damo_filter->list from damos_new_filter()
damos_new_filter() is not initializing the list field of newly allocated filter object. However, DAMON sysfs interface and DAMON_RECLAIM are not initializing it after calling damos_new_filter(). As a result, accessing uninitialized memory is possible. Actually, adding multiple DAMOS filters via DAMON sysfs interface caused NULL pointer dereferencing. Initialize the field just after the allocation from damos_new_filter().
Weakness: CWE-908
Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-53555?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2023-53555?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Is CVE-2023-53555 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-53555 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2023-53555, DEBIAN-CVE-2023-53555, GHSA-7qp5-4fvr-94mm, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-53555.