CVE-2023-53419 Details
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. ]
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's handling of the RCU (Read-Copy-Update) mechanism can lead to a NULL-pointer dereference. This issue affects kernels built with CONFIG_PREEMPT_RCU enabled. The vulnerability arises when one CPU (CPU1) updates a task's expiration pointer in the RCU node structure without the necessary locks, allowing another CPU (CPU2) to read a stale pointer. If CPU1 sets the pointer to NULL, CPU2 may dereference it, causing a crash.
Users can upgrade to the latest stable version of the Linux kernel where this vulnerability has been addressed.
Metrics
CVSS 4.0 Severity and Vector Strings:
No CVSS 4.0 data is available for this CVE.
CVSS 3.x Severity and Vector Strings:
No data available for CVSS Version 2.0 on this CVE.
CISA-ADP
Assessed Jan 14, 2026References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
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| URL | Source(s) | Tag(s) |
|---|---|---|
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2bc0ae94ef1f9ed322d8ee439de3239ea3632ab2 | kernel.org | Patch |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3c1566bca3f8349f12b75d0a2d5e4a20ad6262ec | kernel.org | Patch |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a7d21b8585894e6fff973f6ddae42f02b13f600f | kernel.org | Patch |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d0a8c0e31a09ec1efd53079083e2a677956b4d91 | kernel.org | Patch |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e30a55e98ae6c44253d8b129efefd5da5bc6e3bc | kernel.org | Patch |
Weakness Enumeration
| CWE-ID | CWE Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CWE-476 | NULL Pointer Dereference | [email protected] |
| CWE-476 | NULL Pointer Dereference | CISA-ADP |
Affected Products
| Product | Versions |
|---|---|
| linux linux kernel | < 5.10.181 >= 5.11, < 5.15.113 >= 5.16, < 6.1.30 >= 6.2, < 6.3.4 |
CPE
Remediation
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Change History
5 change records found show changes
| Date | Action | Recorded By |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 17, 2026 | CVE Modified | kernel.org |
| Jun 17, 2026 | CVE Modified | CISA-ADP |
| Jan 14, 2026 | CVE Modified | CISA-ADP |
| Dec 11, 2025 | Initial Analysis | [email protected] |
| Sep 18, 2025 | New CVE Received | kernel.org |