# 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.

- **Severity:** High 7.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **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:** Yes
- **Published:** 4 Oct 2025
- **Updated:** 11 May 2026
- **Also known as:** BELL-CVE-2023-53613, DEBIAN-CVE-2023-53613, GHSA-6789-c3xj-p7cq, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-53613

## 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 (Use After Free)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-53613?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Linux kernel.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-53613?

Apply the vendor's patch.

## 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

- [CVE-2026-53266](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-53266/): Linux Kernel Out-of-Bounds Write (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2013-6282](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-6282/): Linux Kernel Improper Input Validation (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2022-0185](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-0185/): Linux Kernel Heap-Based Buffer Overflow (high 8.4, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2013-2094](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-2094/): Linux Kernel Privilege Escalation (high 8.4, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2026-53362](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-53362/): Linux Kernel Unspecified (high 7.8, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-53613 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: 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.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-53613 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Linux kernel. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-53613/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-53613/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-53613
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-53613
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-53613

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-53613/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.