CVE-2023-53182 is a vulnerability affecting the Linux kernel, specifically related to undefined behavior when applying a zero offset to a null pointer. This issue has been resolved in a recent update, which includes a check that prevents incrementing a pointer by zero while maintaining the previous functionality. This vulnerability was published on September 15, 2025, and is classified as medium severity with a CVSS score of 5.5.
Risk to organizations includes potential disruptions to system availability due to the vulnerability's nature. The availability impact is classified as high, indicating that the vulnerability could lead to significant operational issues if exploited. As of now, no public exploit has been confirmed, but organizations should remain vigilant.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2023-53182. Regular updates and monitoring for vulnerabilities are crucial components of a robust security posture.
For more detailed information on this vulnerability, organizations can refer to the official documentation provided by the Linux kernel development team.
Vulnerability Details
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ACPICA: Avoid undefined behavior: applying zero offset to null pointer. The vulnerability has been addressed in commit 770653e3ba67c30a629ca7d12e352d83c2541b1e. Reported UBSAN stack traces indicated that an incrementing pointer operation could lead to undefined behavior, potentially impacting system stability.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 5.5, indicating a medium level of severity. The attack vector is local, requiring low complexity and low privileges, with no user interaction necessary. The availability impact is high, suggesting that successful exploitation could lead to significant disruptions.
The vulnerability affects the Linux kernel across several versions. Organizations should review their systems to ensure they are not running a vulnerable version.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2023-53182 lies in the ACPICA component of the Linux kernel, specifically in how it handles pointer arithmetic. The vulnerability arises when a zero offset is applied to a null pointer, leading to undefined behavior and potential crashes.
The attack vector is local, meaning an attacker must have access to the system to exploit this vulnerability. The attack complexity is low, and the privileges required are also low. No user interaction is needed for exploitation, which increases the risk.
In terms of impacts, confidentiality and integrity are unaffected, but availability can be severely impacted. Organizations should monitor their systems for any anomalies that could indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment of the vulnerable Linux kernel versions poses a significant risk to organizations. The availability impact is classified as high, indicating that successful exploitation could lead to system crashes and downtime, affecting operational capacity.
This vulnerability matters to organizations, particularly those that rely on Linux-based systems for critical operations. The blast radius potential is significant, as an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to disrupt multiple systems within an organization.
Given the CVSS score of 5.5 and the absence of known exploits at this time, organizations should still take this vulnerability seriously and address it in their patch cycles.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The following versions of the Linux kernel are affected by CVE-2023-53182: All versions prior to vendor patch, including versions between 4.14.316 and 4.19.284, 4.20 and 5.4.244, 5.5 and 5.10.181, 5.11 and 5.15.113, 5.16 and 6.1.30, and 6.2 and 6.3.4.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching to the latest stable version of the Linux kernel to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-53182. If immediate patching is not feasible, consider implementing workarounds such as restricting access to affected systems and monitoring for unusual behavior.
For ongoing security assurance, organizations may benefit from conducting regular penetration testing and vulnerability assessments to identify any further weaknesses.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any indications of unusual access patterns that could suggest attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Behavioral anomalies and system crashes can also serve as indicators that further investigation is required.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2023-53182 represents a significant concern for organizations relying on the Linux kernel. The long-term impact of this vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining updated systems. Security teams should learn from the patterns of vulnerabilities in kernel development, especially related to pointer arithmetic.
To enhance security posture, organizations should establish a proactive approach to vulnerability management and consider regular vulnerability management programs that include timely patching schedules.
Further, engaging in regular penetration testing will help identify potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Lastly, organizations can benefit from staying informed about emerging threats and trends in vulnerability management through industry resources and publications.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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