CVE-2023-54309 tpm: tpm_vtpm_proxy: fix a race condition in /dev/vtpmx creation
A race condition in the Linux kernel TPM proxy driver allows local attackers to trigger memory corruption, potentially leading to code execution or privilege escalation.
- 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-2023-54309?
CVE-2023-54309 is a vulnerability in Linux, published on 30 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:
tpm: tpm_vtpm_proxy: fix a race condition in /dev/vtpmx creation
/dev/vtpmx is made visible before 'workqueue' is initialized, which can lead to a memory corruption in the worst case scenario.
Address this by initializing 'workqueue' as the very first step of the driver initialization.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-54309?
How do I fix CVE-2023-54309?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Is CVE-2023-54309 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-54309 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2023-54309, DEBIAN-CVE-2023-54309, GHSA-gc92-cfvx-57qj, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-54309.