CVE-2023-53613 dax: Fix dax_mapping_release() use after free
A use-after-free in the Linux kernel DAX subsystem can cause a system crash when removing a device-dax region provider under specific debug configurations.
- 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-2023-53613?
CVE-2023-53613 is a high-severity use after free 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:
dax: Fix dax_mapping_release() use after free
A CONFIG_DEBUG_KOBJECT_RELEASE test of removing a device-dax region provider (like modprobe -r dax_hmem) yields:
kobject: 'mapping0' (ffff93eb460e8800): kobject_release, parent 0000000000000000 (delayed 2000) [..] DEBUG_LOCKS_WARN_ON(1) WARNING: CPU: 23 PID: 282 at kernel/locking/lockdep.c:232 __lock_acquire+0x9fc/0x2260 [..] RIP: 0010:__lock_acquire+0x9fc/0x2260 [..] Call Trace: <TASK> [..] lock_acquire+0xd4/0x2c0 ? ida_free+0x62/0x130 _raw_spin_lock_irqsave+0x47/0x70 ? ida_free+0x62/0x130 ida_free+0x62/0x130 dax_mapping_release+0x1f/0x30 device_release+0x36/0x90 kobject_delayed_cleanup+0x46/0x150
Due to attempting ida_free() on an ida object that has already been freed. Devices typically only hold a reference on their parent while registered. If a child needs a parent object to complete its release it needs to hold a reference that it drops from its release callback. Arrange for a dax_mapping to pin its parent dev_dax instance until dax_mapping_release().
Weakness: CWE-416
Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-53613?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2023-53613?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade to the fixed version. These bugs are found with fuzzing and sanitisers and avoided by memory-safe languages. More about Use after free.
Is CVE-2023-53613 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-53613 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2023-53613, DEBIAN-CVE-2023-53613, GHSA-6789-c3xj-p7cq, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-53613.