CVE-2023-53577

CVE-2023-53577 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-401.

Key facts

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf, cpumap: Make sure kthread is running before map update returns The following warning was reported when running stress-mode enabled xdp_redirect_cpu with some RT threads: ------------[ cut here ]------------ WARNING: CPU: 4 PID: 65 at kernel/bpf/cpumap.c:135 CPU: 4 PID: 65 Comm: kworker/4:1 Not tainted 6.5.0-rc2+ #1 Hardware name: QEMU Standard PC (i440FX + PIIX, 1996) Workqueue: events cpu_map_kthread_stop RIP: 0010:put_cpu_map_entry+0xda/0x220 ...... Call Trace: <TASK> ? show_regs+0x65/0x70 ? __warn+0xa5/0x240 ...... ? put_cpu_map_entry+0xda/0x220 cpu_map_kthread_stop+0x41/0x60 process_one_work+0x6b0/0xb80 worker_thread+0x96/0x720 kthread+0x1a5/0x1f0 ret_from_fork+0x3a/0x70 ret_from_fork_asm+0x1b/0x30 </TASK> The root cause is the same as commit 436901649731 ("bpf: cpumap: Fix memory leak in cpu_map_update_elem"). The kthread is stopped prematurely by kthread_stop() in cpu_map_kthread_stop(), and kthread() doesn't call cpu_map_kthread_run() at all but XDP program has already queued some frames or skbs into ptr_ring. So when __cpu_map_ring_cleanup() checks the ptr_ring, it will find it was not emptied and report a warning. An alternative fix is to use __cpu_map_ring_cleanup() to drop these pending frames or skbs when kthread_stop() returns -EINTR, but it may confuse the user, because these frames or skbs have been handled correctly by XDP program. So instead of dropping these frames or skbs, just make sure the per-cpu kthread is running before __cpu_map_entry_alloc() returns. After apply the fix, the error handle for kthread_stop() will be unnecessary because it will always return 0, so just remove it.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-53577?
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf, cpumap: Make sure kthread is running before map update returns The following warning was reported when running stress-mode enabled xdp_redirect_cpu with some RT threads: ------------[ cut here ]------------ WARNING: CPU: 4 PID: 65 at kernel/bpf/cpumap.c:135 CPU: 4 PID: 65 Comm: kworker/4:1 Not tainted 6.5.0-rc2+ #1 Hardware name: QEMU Standard PC (i440FX + PIIX, 1996) Workqueue: events cpu_map_kthread_stop RIP: 0010:put_cpu_map_entry+0xda/0x220 ...... Call Trace: <TASK> ? show_regs+0x65/0x70 ? __warn+0xa5/0x240 ...... ? put_cpu_map_entry+0xda/0x220 cpu_map_kthread_stop+0x41/0x60 process_one_work+0x6b0/0xb80 worker_thread+0x96/0x720 kthread+0x1a5/0x1f0 ret_from_fork+0x3a/0x70 ret_from_fork_asm+0x1b/0x30 </TASK> The root cause is the same as commit 436901649731 ("bpf: cpumap: Fix memory leak in cpu_map_update_elem"). The kthread is stopped prematurely by kthread_stop() in cpu_map_kthread_stop(), and kthread() doesn't call cpu_map_kthread_run() at all but XDP program has already queued some frames or skbs into ptr_ring. So when __cpu_map_ring_cleanup() checks the ptr_ring, it will find it was not emptied and report a warning. An alternative fix is to use __cpu_map_ring_cleanup() to drop these pending frames or skbs when kthread_stop() returns -EINTR, but it may confuse the user, because these frames or skbs have been handled correctly by XDP program. So instead of dropping these frames or skbs, just make sure the per-cpu kthread is running before __cpu_map_entry_alloc() returns. After apply the fix, the error handle for kthread_stop() will be unnecessary because it will always return 0, so just remove it.
How severe is CVE-2023-53577?
CVE-2023-53577 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-2023-53577 being actively exploited?
It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (4th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-53577?
CVE-2023-53577 primarily affects Linux Linux Kernel. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-53577?
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-2023-53577 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
Yes. CVE-2023-53577 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2025-32313.
When was CVE-2023-53577 published?
CVE-2023-53577 was published on 2025-10-04 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (5)

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