CVE-2023-53537

CVE-2023-53537 is a high-severity vulnerability in Linux Linux Kernel with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-416.

Key facts

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: f2fs: fix to avoid use-after-free for cached IPU bio xfstest generic/019 reports a bug: kernel BUG at mm/filemap.c:1619! RIP: 0010:folio_end_writeback+0x8a/0x90 Call Trace: end_page_writeback+0x1c/0x60 f2fs_write_end_io+0x199/0x420 bio_endio+0x104/0x180 submit_bio_noacct+0xa5/0x510 submit_bio+0x48/0x80 f2fs_submit_write_bio+0x35/0x300 f2fs_submit_merged_ipu_write+0x2a0/0x2b0 f2fs_write_single_data_page+0x838/0x8b0 f2fs_write_cache_pages+0x379/0xa30 f2fs_write_data_pages+0x30c/0x340 do_writepages+0xd8/0x1b0 __writeback_single_inode+0x44/0x370 writeback_sb_inodes+0x233/0x4d0 __writeback_inodes_wb+0x56/0xf0 wb_writeback+0x1dd/0x2d0 wb_workfn+0x367/0x4a0 process_one_work+0x21d/0x430 worker_thread+0x4e/0x3c0 kthread+0x103/0x130 ret_from_fork+0x2c/0x50 The root cause is: after cp_error is set, f2fs_submit_merged_ipu_write() in f2fs_write_single_data_page() tries to flush IPU bio in cache, however f2fs_submit_merged_ipu_write() missed to check validity of @bio parameter, result in submitting random cached bio which belong to other IO context, then it will cause use-after-free issue, fix it by adding additional validity check.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-53537?
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: f2fs: fix to avoid use-after-free for cached IPU bio xfstest generic/019 reports a bug: kernel BUG at mm/filemap.c:1619! RIP: 0010:folio_end_writeback+0x8a/0x90 Call Trace: end_page_writeback+0x1c/0x60 f2fs_write_end_io+0x199/0x420 bio_endio+0x104/0x180 submit_bio_noacct+0xa5/0x510 submit_bio+0x48/0x80 f2fs_submit_write_bio+0x35/0x300 f2fs_submit_merged_ipu_write+0x2a0/0x2b0 f2fs_write_single_data_page+0x838/0x8b0 f2fs_write_cache_pages+0x379/0xa30 f2fs_write_data_pages+0x30c/0x340 do_writepages+0xd8/0x1b0 __writeback_single_inode+0x44/0x370 writeback_sb_inodes+0x233/0x4d0 __writeback_inodes_wb+0x56/0xf0 wb_writeback+0x1dd/0x2d0 wb_workfn+0x367/0x4a0 process_one_work+0x21d/0x430 worker_thread+0x4e/0x3c0 kthread+0x103/0x130 ret_from_fork+0x2c/0x50 The root cause is: after cp_error is set, f2fs_submit_merged_ipu_write() in f2fs_write_single_data_page() tries to flush IPU bio in cache, however f2fs_submit_merged_ipu_write() missed to check validity of @bio parameter, result in submitting random cached bio which belong to other IO context, then it will cause use-after-free issue, fix it by adding additional validity check.
How severe is CVE-2023-53537?
CVE-2023-53537 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2023-53537 being actively exploited?
It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (5th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-53537?
CVE-2023-53537 affects Linux Linux Kernel. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-53537?
Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
Does CVE-2023-53537 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
Yes. CVE-2023-53537 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2025-32341.
When was CVE-2023-53537 published?
CVE-2023-53537 was published on 2025-10-04 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

More vulnerabilities in Linux Linux Kernel

All CVEs affecting Linux Linux Kernel →

Other CWE-416 (Use After Free) vulnerabilities

Browse all CWE-416 (Use After Free) vulnerabilities →