Deadlock Vulnerability in Linux Kernel's RAID5 Cache by Linux

CVE-2023-53848

What is CVE-2023-53848?

A vulnerability has been identified in the Linux kernel's RAID5 cache system which can lead to a deadlock situation during operations. This issue arises when certain functions attempt to manage the configuration log while holding a lock, preventing subsequent operations from completing. The problem was introduced by a previous commit that improperly managed the state of 'conf->log', leading to a scenario where threads could indefinitely wait for a resource that would not become available. The resolution involves ensuring that 'config->log' is cleared appropriately before signaling other processes, restoring reliable behavior and preventing the deadlock. This fix enhances the stability of the RAID5 functionality within the kernel, addressing potential performance bottlenecks and ensuring smoother operations.

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