In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: crypto: af_alg - Fix missing initialisation affecting gcm-aes-s390. This vulnerability allows the gcm-aes-s390 driver to cause a kernel oops when attempting to process requests.
The severity level is classified as medium with a CVSS score of 5.5. This is important because it indicates a potential risk to the availability of systems running affected versions of the Linux kernel. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
The vulnerability arises from improper initialization in the af_alg_alloc_areq() function. When an empty ciphertext is passed, the driver fails to set up properly, leading to a dereference of a null pointer during operation, which can crash the kernel.
Risk to organizations includes potential downtime and service disruption. Although no public exploits are confirmed, unpatched systems could be vulnerable to local attacks causing availability issues.
Organizations should address this vulnerability in priority patch cycle to ensure system stability and security.
Vulnerability Details
The official CVE description indicates that the vulnerability affects the Linux kernel's crypto subsystem, specifically the gcm-aes-s390 implementation. The issue can lead to kernel pointer dereference errors under certain conditions.
The CVSS score of 5.5 falls within the medium severity range. This classification signifies that while the vulnerability does not allow for immediate remote exploitation, it poses significant risks to local systems if not addressed.
The affected vendor is Linux, and the specific component impacted is the Linux kernel. The vulnerability was published on October 4, 2025, and is classified under CWE-476.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of the vulnerability stems from a lack of initialization for the first_rsgl structure used in the gcm-aes-s390 driver. This oversight allows the driver to attempt processing requests that have not been correctly set up, ultimately leading to a kernel oops.
The attack vector is classified as local, requiring low attack complexity and low privileges to exploit. No user interaction is required, which increases the risk of exploitation.
The impacts of this vulnerability are significant for availability. Systems may crash or become unresponsive when attempting to process certain cryptographic requests, potentially leading to service disruptions.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations must consider the deployment risks associated with this vulnerability. Given that it affects the availability of systems, the potential blast radius could be extensive, impacting multiple services running on the affected kernel.
Due to the medium severity classification, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. Prompt remediation is essential to mitigate the risk of service disruptions.
The urgency assessment indicates that organizations should prioritize patching immediately to avoid potential availability issues.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects all versions of the Linux kernel prior to 6.5.3. Organizations should ensure they upgrade to the latest version to mitigate this risk.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize updating their Linux kernel to version 6.5.3 or later to eliminate this vulnerability. For those unable to apply the patch immediately, consider implementing the following workarounds:
1. Limit access to systems running affected kernel versions to trusted users.
2. Monitor system logs for unusual activity that may indicate exploit attempts.
3. Implement network controls to restrict access to sensitive services.
Organizations should validate remediation through penetration testing to ensure the effectiveness of applied patches.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation attempts, organizations should monitor for the following indicators:
1. Logs indicating kernel oops events related to the gcm-aes-s390 driver.
2. Unusual patterns of service interruptions or crashes on affected systems.
3. Anomalies in user access logs that may indicate unauthorized attempts to access restricted areas.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2023-53599 highlights the importance of thorough testing and validation processes in kernel development. The vulnerability illustrates how even minor oversights in initialization can lead to critical failures in system stability.
This incident serves as a reminder for security teams to maintain rigorous standards for code review and vulnerability management. Implementing a comprehensive vulnerability management program is essential to proactively identify and mitigate risks.
Security teams should also invest in penetration testing methodology training programs to enhance their skills in identifying such vulnerabilities during the development lifecycle.
Overall, CVE-2023-53599 underscores the necessity for continuous vigilance and adaptive strategies in cybersecurity.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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