CVE-2023-53503

Oct. 2, 2025, 7:11 p.m.

None
No Score

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ext4: allow ext4_get_group_info() to fail Previously, ext4_get_group_info() would treat an invalid group number as BUG(), since in theory it should never happen. However, if a malicious attaker (or fuzzer) modifies the superblock via the block device while it is the file system is mounted, it is possible for s_first_data_block to get set to a very large number. In that case, when calculating the block group of some block number (such as the starting block of a preallocation region), could result in an underflow and very large block group number. Then the BUG_ON check in ext4_get_group_info() would fire, resutling in a denial of service attack that can be triggered by root or someone with write access to the block device. For a quality of implementation perspective, it's best that even if the system administrator does something that they shouldn't, that it will not trigger a BUG. So instead of BUG'ing, ext4_get_group_info() will call ext4_error and return NULL. We also add fallback code in all of the callers of ext4_get_group_info() that it might NULL. Also, since ext4_get_group_info() was already borderline to be an inline function, un-inline it. The results in a next reduction of the compiled text size of ext4 by roughly 2k.

Product(s) Impacted

Vendor Product Versions
Linux
  • Linux Kernel
  • Ext4
  • *
  • *

Weaknesses

Common security weaknesses mapped to this vulnerability.

*CPE(s)

Affected systems and software identified for this CVE.

Type Vendor Product Version Update Edition Language Software Edition Target Software Target Hardware Other Information
o linux linux_kernel / / / / / / / /
a linux ext4 / / / / / / / /

Timeline

Published: Oct. 1, 2025, 12:15 p.m.
Last Modified: Oct. 2, 2025, 7:11 p.m.

Status : Awaiting Analysis

CVE has been recently published to the CVE List and has been received by the NVD.

More info

Source

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

*Disclaimer: Some vulnerabilities do not have an associated CPE. To enhance the data, we use AI to infer CPEs based on CVE details. This is an automated process and might not always be accurate.