Use After Free in Linux

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.

Vulnerability class: Use-After-Free

EPSS: 0.001 (4.0th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.

CVSS v3 metric

CVSS v3 base score 7.0 (High). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.

Affected products

Weakness classification (CWE)

References

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-53638?
CVE-2023-53638 is a high-severity vulnerability in Linux, classified under Use After Free. CVSS score: 7.0/10. Published 2025-10-07.
How severe is CVE-2023-53638?
High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 7.0 out of 10.