CVE-2023-53014 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically within the dmaengine subsystem for Tegra platforms. The issue pertains to a memory leak occurring in the terminate_all() function, which is responsible for terminating ongoing DMA (Direct Memory Access) transfers. The vulnerability arises because the virtual descriptor (vdesc) associated with an ongoing transfer is not properly terminated and freed when the transfer is aborted. Normally, vdescs should be moved to a desc_terminated list and later freed by desc_free_list(). However, due to this flaw, the vdesc remains allocated, causing a memory leak. This leak can accumulate over time, potentially leading to resource exhaustion on affected systems. The fix involves ensuring that vdesc is correctly terminated and queued for freeing, thus preventing the leak. This vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions identified by the commit hash ee17028009d49fffed8cc963455d33b1fd3f1d08 and is specific to Tegra hardware platforms, which are NVIDIA’s system-on-chip (SoC) products commonly used in embedded systems and some specialized computing devices. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The vulnerability does not appear to require user interaction or authentication to manifest, but it is limited to systems running the affected Linux kernel on Tegra hardware. The primary risk is resource exhaustion due to memory leaks, which could degrade system performance or cause denial of service if the leak is severe and sustained.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2023-53014 depends largely on the deployment of Tegra-based Linux systems within their infrastructure. Tegra SoCs are often found in embedded devices, industrial control systems, automotive infotainment, and specialized computing environments rather than mainstream servers or desktops. Organizations using such embedded Linux systems in critical infrastructure, manufacturing, automotive, or IoT deployments could face gradual degradation of system stability and availability due to memory leaks if the vulnerability is exploited or triggered repeatedly. This could lead to denial of service conditions, impacting operational continuity. While the vulnerability does not directly expose confidentiality or integrity risks, the availability impact could disrupt services or processes relying on affected devices. Since no known exploits exist currently, the immediate threat is low, but unpatched systems remain vulnerable to potential future exploitation or accidental triggering of the leak. European organizations with embedded device deployments should be particularly vigilant, especially in sectors like automotive manufacturing, industrial automation, and telecommunications where Tegra-based Linux devices might be in use.

To mitigate CVE-2023-53014, organizations should: 1) Identify and inventory all Linux systems running on Tegra hardware within their environment. 2) Apply the official Linux kernel patches or updates that include the fix for this vulnerability as soon as they become available. This involves updating the kernel to a version that incorporates the corrected terminate_all() function behavior. 3) For embedded or specialized devices where kernel updates are not straightforward, coordinate with device vendors or system integrators to obtain patched firmware or kernel versions. 4) Implement monitoring for unusual memory usage patterns on affected devices to detect potential memory leaks early. 5) Where possible, limit exposure of Tegra-based devices to untrusted networks to reduce the risk of remote triggering of the vulnerability. 6) Maintain robust incident response plans to address potential availability issues arising from memory exhaustion. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific hardware and kernel subsystem affected, emphasizing patch management in embedded environments, and proactive monitoring tailored to memory leak detection.