Improper locking in Linux kernel - CVE-2023-53522
Published: October 1, 2025 / Updated: October 27, 2025
Vulnerability identifier: #VU116357
CSH Severity: Low
CVSS v4: 6.8 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N]
CVE-ID: CVE-2023-53522
CWE-ID: CWE-667
Exploitation vector: Local access
Exploit availability:
No public exploit available
Vulnerability details
The vulnerability allows a local user to perform a denial of service (DoS) attack.
The vulnerability exists due to improper locking within the freezer_apply_state() and freezer_change_state() functions in kernel/cgroup/legacy_freezer.c. A local user can perform a denial of service (DoS) attack.
Affected software
Linux kernel
How to mitigate CVE-2023-53522
Install update from vendor's repository.
Linux kernel - addressed in versions 6.1.25, 6.2.12, 6.3
External References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/34fbb7b45bae20b551dda24337c7761ca13ce69d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3756171b97c307d9df8b8ded1d883eec30172085
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/57dcd64c7e036299ef526b400a8d12b8a2352f26
- https://mirrors.edge.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v6.x/ChangeLog-6.1.25
- https://mirrors.edge.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v6.x/ChangeLog-6.2.12
- https://mirrors.edge.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v6.x/ChangeLog-6.3