How severe is CVE-2023-53638?

CVE-2023-53638 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-2023-53638 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-2023-53638?

CVE-2023-53638 primarily affects Linux Linux Kernel. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-53638?

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-2023-53638 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?

Yes. CVE-2023-53638 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2025-31993.

When was CVE-2023-53638 published?

CVE-2023-53638 was published on 2025-10-07 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-53638

CVE-2023-53638 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

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (4th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2025-31993
Weakness: CWE-416
Affected product: Linux Linux Kernel
Published: 2025-10-07
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: octeon_ep: cancel queued works in probe error path If it fails to get the devices's MAC address, octep_probe exits while leaving the delayed work intr_poll_task queued. When the work later runs, it's a use after free. Move the cancelation of intr_poll_task from octep_remove into octep_device_cleanup. This does not change anything in the octep_remove flow, but octep_device_cleanup is called also in the octep_probe error path, where the cancelation is needed. Note that the cancelation of ctrl_mbox_task has to follow intr_poll_task's, because the ctrl_mbox_task may be queued by intr_poll_task.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-53638?: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: octeon_ep: cancel queued works in probe error path If it fails to get the devices's MAC address, octep_probe exits while leaving the delayed work intr_poll_task queued. When the work later runs, it's a use after free. Move the cancelation of intr_poll_task from octep_remove into octep_device_cleanup. This does not change anything in the octep_remove flow, but octep_device_cleanup is called also in the octep_probe error path, where the cancelation is needed. Note that the cancelation of ctrl_mbox_task has to follow intr_poll_task's, because the ctrl_mbox_task may be queued by intr_poll_task.
How severe is CVE-2023-53638?: CVE-2023-53638 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-2023-53638 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-2023-53638?: CVE-2023-53638 primarily affects Linux Linux Kernel. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-53638?: 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-2023-53638 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?: Yes. CVE-2023-53638 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2025-31993.
When was CVE-2023-53638 published?: CVE-2023-53638 was published on 2025-10-07 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (7)

cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.5:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.5:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.5:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.5:rc4:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.5:rc5:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.5:rc6:*:*:*:*:*:*

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