Use After Free Vulnerability in Linux Kernel's DAX Feature

CVE-2023-53613

What is CVE-2023-53613?

A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's DAX (Direct Access) feature allows for a use-after-free condition. This occurs during the release of dax_mapping, which improperly attempts to free an already released IDA object, potentially leading to unexpected behavior or crashes. The flaw arises when a child DAX mapping fails to maintain a reference to its parent dev_dax instance during the cleanup process, allowing for unsafe memory access. Remediation involves ensuring proper memory management during the release sequence to prevent the misuse of freed memory.

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