CVE-2023-54042 powerpc/64s: Fix VAS mm use after free
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's VAS subsystem allows attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges.
- 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-2023-54042?
CVE-2023-54042 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Linux, published on 24 Dec 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:
powerpc/64s: Fix VAS mm use after free
The refcount on mm is dropped before the coprocessor is detached.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-54042?
How do I fix CVE-2023-54042?
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-2023-54042 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-54042 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2023-54042, DEBIAN-CVE-2023-54042, GHSA-xm2r-rc6j-6pp4, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-54042.