CVE-2023-52998 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's network driver subsystem, specifically affecting the 'fec' (Fast Ethernet Controller) driver. The issue arises from improper memory management when freeing receive (rx) buffers. The vulnerable code uses the function page_pool_release_page to free rx buffers, which only unmaps the page if it is mapped but does not recycle the page back to the page pool. This leads to a gradual memory leak as pages are not returned to the pool for reuse. The problem manifests after repeatedly bringing the network interface (eth0) down and up hundreds or thousands of times, eventually causing the system to run out of memory (OOM). The root cause is that page_pool_release_page does not decrement the page reference count or recycle the page, whereas the correct function to use is page_pool_put_full_page, which recycles the page if its reference count is one. Testing showed that after approximately 391 cycles of down/up on an affected device (i.MX8MN-EVK), the memory leak and pool stall occur, but after applying the fix, the issue could not be reproduced even after 20,000 cycles. The vulnerability is specific to the Linux kernel's network driver implementation and affects systems using the fec driver, commonly found in embedded devices and certain SoCs (System on Chips). The bug logs indicate stalled page pool shutdowns and inflight pages accumulating over time, confirming the memory leak and resource exhaustion. No CVSS score is assigned yet, and no known exploits are reported in the wild. The vulnerability was published on March 27, 2025, and the fix involves replacing page_pool_release_page with page_pool_put_full_page in the driver code to ensure proper page recycling and prevent memory exhaustion.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2023-52998 depends largely on their use of Linux systems running the affected kernel versions with the fec network driver. This vulnerability primarily affects embedded Linux devices and certain network interface controllers, which may be present in industrial control systems, IoT devices, telecommunications equipment, and specialized networking hardware. The memory leak caused by repeated network interface resets can lead to system instability, degraded performance, or complete denial of service due to out-of-memory conditions. In critical infrastructure sectors such as manufacturing, energy, transportation, and telecommunications, this could disrupt operations and cause downtime. Although exploitation requires repeated interface cycling, which might be triggered by an attacker with local access or through automated scripts, the lack of user interaction or authentication requirements lowers the barrier for exploitation in some scenarios. European organizations relying on embedded Linux devices with the affected drivers should be aware of potential service interruptions and plan for timely patching. The vulnerability does not directly expose data confidentiality or integrity but impacts availability, which is critical for operational continuity. Given the widespread use of Linux in European IT and OT environments, the threat is relevant but more acute for sectors using embedded Linux hardware with the fec driver.

To mitigate CVE-2023-52998, organizations should: 1) Identify all Linux systems and embedded devices using the fec network driver, especially those running kernel versions prior to the patch. 2) Apply the official Linux kernel patches that replace page_pool_release_page with page_pool_put_full_page in the fec driver code to ensure proper memory management. 3) For devices where kernel patching is not immediately feasible, implement monitoring of memory usage and page pool metrics to detect early signs of memory leaks or stalled pools. 4) Limit unnecessary network interface down/up cycles, especially automated scripts or management tools that might trigger repeated resets. 5) Employ network segmentation and access controls to restrict local access to devices vulnerable to this issue, reducing the risk of exploitation by unauthorized users. 6) Coordinate with device vendors and embedded system manufacturers to obtain updated firmware or kernel versions addressing this vulnerability. 7) Incorporate this vulnerability into vulnerability management and patching workflows to ensure timely remediation. 8) Consider fallback or redundancy mechanisms for critical systems to maintain availability during patch deployment or in case of exploitation.