CVE-2023-53419

MEDIUM

Linux Kernel - NULL Pointer Dereference in rcu_print_task_exp_stall

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: rcu: Protect rcu_print_task_exp_stall() ->exp_tasks access For kernels built with CONFIG_PREEMPT_RCU=y, the following scenario can result in a NULL-pointer dereference: CPU1 CPU2 rcu_preempt_deferred_qs_irqrestore rcu_print_task_exp_stall if (special.b.blocked) READ_ONCE(rnp->exp_tasks) != NULL raw_spin_lock_rcu_node np = rcu_next_node_entry(t, rnp) if (&t->rcu_node_entry == rnp->exp_tasks) WRITE_ONCE(rnp->exp_tasks, np) .... raw_spin_unlock_irqrestore_rcu_node raw_spin_lock_irqsave_rcu_node t = list_entry(rnp->exp_tasks->prev, struct task_struct, rcu_node_entry) (if rnp->exp_tasks is NULL, this will dereference a NULL pointer) The problem is that CPU2 accesses the rcu_node structure's->exp_tasks field without holding the rcu_node structure's ->lock and CPU2 did not observe CPU1's change to rcu_node structure's ->exp_tasks in time. Therefore, if CPU1 sets rcu_node structure's->exp_tasks pointer to NULL, then CPU2 might dereference that NULL pointer. This commit therefore holds the rcu_node structure's ->lock while accessing that structure's->exp_tasks field. [ paulmck: Apply Frederic Weisbecker feedback. ]

Scores

CVSS v3 5.5
EPSS 0.0014
EPSS Percentile 4.1%
Attack Vector LOCAL
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation none
Automatable no
Technical Impact partial

Details

CWE
CWE-476
Status published
Products (13)
Linux/Linux < 5.8
Linux/Linux 314eeb43e5f22856b281c91c966e51e5782a3498 - 2bc0ae94ef1f9ed322d8ee439de3239ea3632ab2
Linux/Linux 314eeb43e5f22856b281c91c966e51e5782a3498 - 3c1566bca3f8349f12b75d0a2d5e4a20ad6262ec
Linux/Linux 314eeb43e5f22856b281c91c966e51e5782a3498 - a7d21b8585894e6fff973f6ddae42f02b13f600f
Linux/Linux 314eeb43e5f22856b281c91c966e51e5782a3498 - d0a8c0e31a09ec1efd53079083e2a677956b4d91
Linux/Linux 314eeb43e5f22856b281c91c966e51e5782a3498 - e30a55e98ae6c44253d8b129efefd5da5bc6e3bc
Linux/Linux 5.10.181 - 5.10.*
Linux/Linux 5.15.113 - 5.15.*
Linux/Linux 5.8
Linux/Linux 6.1.30 - 6.1.*
... and 3 more
Published Sep 18, 2025
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026