Use After Free in Linux

CVE-2023-53446

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: PCI/ASPM: Disable ASPM on MFD function removal to avoid use-after-free Struct pcie_link_state->downstream is a pointer to the pci_dev of function 0. Previously we retained that pointer when removing function 0, and subsequent ASPM policy changes dereferenced it, resulting in a use-after-free warning from KASAN, e.g.: # echo 1 > /sys/bus/pci/devices/0000:03:00.0/remove # echo powersave > /sys/module/pcie_aspm/parameters/policy BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in pcie_config_aspm_link+0x42d/0x500 Call Trace: kasan_report+0xae/0xe0 pcie_config_aspm_link+0x42d/0x500 pcie_aspm_set_policy+0x8e/0x1a0 param_attr_store+0x162/0x2c0 module_attr_store+0x3e/0x80 PCIe spec r6.0, sec 7.5.3.7, recommends that software program the same ASPM Control value in all functions of multi-function devices. Disable ASPM and free the pcie_link_state when any child function is removed so we can discard the dangling pcie_link_state->downstream pointer and maintain the same ASPM Control configuration for all functions. [bhelgaas: commit log and comment]

Vulnerability class: Use-After-Free

EPSS: 0.001 (3.8th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.

CVSS v3 metric

CVSS v3 base score 7.8 (High). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.

Affected products

Weakness classification (CWE)

References

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-53446?
CVE-2023-53446 is a high-severity vulnerability in Linux, classified under Use After Free. CVSS score: 7.8/10. Published 2025-09-18.
How severe is CVE-2023-53446?
High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 7.8 out of 10.