NULL pointer dereference in Linux

CVE-2023-53681

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bcache: Fix __bch_btree_node_alloc to make the failure behavior consistent In some specific situations, the return value of __bch_btree_node_alloc may be NULL. This may lead to a potential NULL pointer dereference in caller function like a calling chain : btree_split->bch_btree_node_alloc->__bch_btree_node_alloc. Fix it by initializing the return value in __bch_btree_node_alloc.

EPSS: 0.001 (3.4th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.

CVSS v3 metric

CVSS v3 base score 5.5 (Medium). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H.

Affected products

Weakness classification (CWE)

Public proof-of-concept exploits

References

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-53681?
CVE-2023-53681 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Linux, classified under NULL Pointer Dereference. CVSS score: 5.5/10. Published 2025-10-07.
How severe is CVE-2023-53681?
Medium severity. CVSS v3 base score is 5.5 out of 10.
Is CVE-2023-53681 known to be exploited?
1 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed. Not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.