CVE-2023-53279

misc: vmw_balloon: fix memory leak with using debugfs_lookup()

MEDIUM
5.5
CVSS Score
Published: September 16, 2025 at 08:11 AM UTC
Updated: June 17, 2026 at 06:44 AM UTC
1 product affected across 1 vendorLinux Kernel

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Severity
MEDIUM5.5
Exploit prediction
EPSS 0.2%
SSVC
No known exploit

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: misc: vmw_balloon: fix memory leak with using debugfs_lookup() When calling debugfs_lookup() the result must have dput() called on it, otherwise the memory will leak over time. To make things simpler, just call debugfs_lookup_and_remove() instead which handles all of the logic at once.

Affected

Our own answer: ranges merged, affected separated from platform-only, with confidence and review flags.

v < 5.15.1005.13 ≤ v < 5.15.1005.13 ≤ v < 6.1.185.13 ≤ v < 6.2.55.13 ≤ v < 6.35.16 ≤ v < 6.1.186.2 ≤ v < 6.2.537b85bd5f20cbe28140d370a840738b6f2e85cbf5.13
Vendor states this is fixed in 209cdbd07cfaa4b7385bad4eeb47e5ec1887d33d (fixed)
Vendor states this is fixed in b94b39bf3d545671f210a2257d18e33c8b874699 (fixed)
Vendor states this is fixed in d1c545e44c1ec08bef0c0c14e632eec516431e9c (fixed)
Vendor states this is fixed in f7651fa88b17c2d7af949981a2423179db5e9453 (fixed)
Vendor states this is fixed in 5.13 (unaffected)
Vendor states this is fixed in 5.15.100 (unaffected)
Vendor states this is fixed in 6.1.18 (unaffected)
Vendor states this is fixed in 6.2.5 (unaffected)
Vendor states this is fixed in 6.3 (unaffected)

References (4)

Patch
Source: 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/209cdbd07cfaa4b7385bad4eeb47e5ec1887d33d
Patch
Source: 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b94b39bf3d545671f210a2257d18e33c8b874699
Patch
Source: 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d1c545e44c1ec08bef0c0c14e632eec516431e9c
Patch
Source: 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f7651fa88b17c2d7af949981a2423179db5e9453

SSVC — Action Prioritization

SSVCNo known exploitNot automatablePartial impact

SSVC signals action urgency (what to patch first), separate from CVSS which measures severity.

CVSS

5.5MEDIUMCISA-ADP
Attack Vector
LOCAL
Complexity
LOW
Privileges
LOW
User Interaction
NONE
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
NONE
Integrity
NONE
Availability
HIGH
Vector?

Quick Info

StatusMODIFIED
CWE
CWE-401

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