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CVE-2023-53802
wifi: ath9k: htc_hst: free skb in ath9k_htc_rx_msg() if there is no callback function
Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: ath9k: htc_hst: free skb in ath9k_htc_rx_msg() if there is no callback function It is stated that ath9k_htc_rx_msg() either frees the provided skb or passes its management to another callback function. However, the skb is not freed in case there is no another callback function, and Syzkaller was able to cause a memory leak. Also minor comment fix. Found by Linux Verification Center (linuxtesting.org) with Syzkaller.

INFO

Published Date :

Dec. 9, 2025, 1:16 a.m.

Last Modified :

Dec. 9, 2025, 6:37 p.m.

Remotely Exploit :

No

Source :

416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Affected Products

The following products are affected by CVE-2023-53802 vulnerability. Even if cvefeed.io is aware of the exact versions of the products that are affected, the information is not represented in the table below.

ID Vendor Product Action
1 Linux linux_kernel
: Total Affected Vendor : 1 | Products : 1
Solution
Free the skb in ath9k_htc_rx_msg() when no callback is set to prevent memory leaks.
  • Ensure skb is freed if no callback is available.
  • Apply the latest Linux kernel updates.
  • Test the fix thoroughly in affected systems.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools

Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to CVE-2023-53802.

URL Resource
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/564bc2222bf50eb6cdee715a5431bf4dc9f923c1
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5a84e51f72580fc70066b03f3dac38421e702a0b
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/68171c006c8645a3e0293a6c3e6037c6538ac1c5
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9b25e3985477ac3f02eca5fc1e0cc6850a3f7e69
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b11f95f65cc52ee3a756e6f6a88df37a203e25bd
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/bbfababb4f899fe1556eac195f9774b6fe675fb6
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c0c0614f143b568cd0e9525d53cf12e5dcd11987
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ec246dfe006b2a8f36353f7489e4f525114db9a5
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration

While CVE identifies specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2023-53802 is associated with the following CWEs:

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC) stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2023-53802 weaknesses.

We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).

Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.

The following list is the news that have been mention CVE-2023-53802 vulnerability anywhere in the article.

Results are limited to the first 20 news articles due to potential performance issues.

The following table lists the changes that have been made to the CVE-2023-53802 vulnerability over time.

Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.

  • New CVE Received by 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

    Dec. 09, 2025

    Action Type Old Value New Value
    Added Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: ath9k: htc_hst: free skb in ath9k_htc_rx_msg() if there is no callback function It is stated that ath9k_htc_rx_msg() either frees the provided skb or passes its management to another callback function. However, the skb is not freed in case there is no another callback function, and Syzkaller was able to cause a memory leak. Also minor comment fix. Found by Linux Verification Center (linuxtesting.org) with Syzkaller.
    Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/564bc2222bf50eb6cdee715a5431bf4dc9f923c1
    Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5a84e51f72580fc70066b03f3dac38421e702a0b
    Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/68171c006c8645a3e0293a6c3e6037c6538ac1c5
    Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9b25e3985477ac3f02eca5fc1e0cc6850a3f7e69
    Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b11f95f65cc52ee3a756e6f6a88df37a203e25bd
    Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/bbfababb4f899fe1556eac195f9774b6fe675fb6
    Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c0c0614f143b568cd0e9525d53cf12e5dcd11987
    Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ec246dfe006b2a8f36353f7489e4f525114db9a5
EPSS is a daily estimate of the probability of exploitation activity being observed over the next 30 days. Following chart shows the EPSS score history of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Scoring Details
No CVSS metrics available for this vulnerability.