CVE-2023-53662: ext4: fix memory leaks in ext4_fname_{setup_filename,prepare_lookup}

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2023-53662?

CVE-2023-53662 has a medium severity rating due to the potential for memory leaks in the ext4 file system.

Q: How do I fix CVE-2023-53662?

To fix CVE-2023-53662, update the Linux kernel to the latest version where this vulnerability has been patched.

Q: What systems are affected by CVE-2023-53662?

CVE-2023-53662 affects the Linux kernel, particularly systems using the ext4 file system.

Q: What kind of issue does CVE-2023-53662 represent?

CVE-2023-53662 represents a memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel related to filename casefolding in the ext4 file system.

Q: Is CVE-2023-53662 an exploit that requires user intervention?

CVE-2023-53662 may not require user intervention to exploit, as it occurs within the kernel's memory management during file operations.

Published Oct 7, 2025

Updated

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

ext4: fix memory leaks in ext4fname{setupfilename,preparelookup}

If the filename casefolding fails, we'll be leaking memory from the fscryptname struct, namely from the 'cryptobuf.name' member.

Make sure we free it in the error path on both ext4fnamesetupfilename() and ext4fnamepreparelookup() functions.

Affected Software

136 affected componentsFixes available

Linux Linux kernel

Linux Linux kernel>=5.13<6.1.54

Linux Linux kernel>=6.2<6.5.4

debian/linux<6.1.55-1

6.1.55-1

debian/linux<6.5.6-1

6.5.6-1

debian/linux<6.5.6-1

6.5.6-1

debian/linux

6.1.176-16.1.190-16.12.107-16.12.113-17.2.12-17.2.13-1

linux/kernel>=5.13.0<5.15.199

5.15.199

linux/kernel>=5.16.0<6.1.54

6.1.54

linux/kernel>=6.2.0<6.5.4

6.5.4

ubuntu/linux-hwe-edge*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.0*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.3*

ubuntu/linux-azure*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.3*

ubuntu/linux-azure-edge*

ubuntu/linux-gcp*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.3*

ubuntu/linux-gke-4.15*

ubuntu/linux-gke-5.4*

ubuntu/linux-gkeop-5.4*

ubuntu/linux-hwe*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-edge*

ubuntu/linux-oem*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.0*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.3*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.15<5.15.0-1105.112~20.04.1

5.15.0-1105.112~20.04.1

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.15<5.15.0-1110.119~20.04.1

5.15.0-1110.119~20.04.1

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.15<5.15.0-1106.115~20.04.1

5.15.0-1106.115~20.04.1

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-gke*

ubuntu/linux-gke-5.15*

ubuntu/linux-gkeop*

ubuntu/linux-gkeop-5.15*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.15<5.15.0-176.186~20.04.1

5.15.0-176.186~20.04.1

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-ibm-5.15<5.15.0-1099.102~20.04.1

5.15.0-1099.102~20.04.1

ubuntu/linux-intel-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-intel-iotg-5.15<5.15.0-1100.106~20.04.1

5.15.0-1100.106~20.04.1

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-5.15<5.15.0-175.185~20.04.1

5.15.0-175.185~20.04.1

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra-5.15<5.15.0-1057.57~20.04.1

5.15.0-1057.57~20.04.1

ubuntu/linux-oem-5.10*

ubuntu/linux-oem-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-oem-5.6*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.15<5.15.0-1102.108~20.04.1

5.15.0-1102.108~20.04.1

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-raspi2*

ubuntu/linux-riscv*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.15<5.15.0-1099.103~20.04.1

5.15.0-1099.103~20.04.1

ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.8*

ubuntu/linux<5.15.0-176.186

5.15.0-176.186

ubuntu/linux-allwinner-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-aws<5.15.0-1105.112

5.15.0-1105.112

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-azure<5.15.0-1110.119

5.15.0-1110.119

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde<5.15.0-1114.123

5.15.0-1114.123

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-gcp<5.15.0-1105.114

5.15.0-1105.114

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-gke<5.15.0-1101.107

5.15.0-1101.107

ubuntu/linux-gkeop<5.15.0-1088.96

5.15.0-1088.96

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-ibm<5.15.0-1099.102

5.15.0-1099.102

ubuntu/linux-intel-iot-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-intel-iotg<5.15.0-1100.106

5.15.0-1100.106

ubuntu/linux-kvm<5.15.0-1097.102

5.15.0-1097.102

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency<5.15.0-175.185

5.15.0-175.185

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia<5.15.0-1100.101

5.15.0-1100.101

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra<5.15.0-1057.57

5.15.0-1057.57

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra-igx<5.15.0-1046.46

5.15.0-1046.46

ubuntu/linux-oem-5.17*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.0*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.1*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-oracle<5.15.0-1102.108

5.15.0-1102.108

ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-raspi<5.15.0-1099.102

5.15.0-1099.102

ubuntu/linux-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-riscv*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-starfive-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-starfive-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-starfive-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-xilinx-zynqmp<5.15.0-1070.74

5.15.0-1070.74

ubuntu/linux-bluefield<5.15.0-1089.91

5.15.0-1089.91

ubuntu/linux-intel-iot-realtime<5.15.0-1097.99

5.15.0-1097.99

ubuntu/linux-realtime<5.15.0-1104.113

5.15.0-1104.113

ubuntu/linux-aws-fips*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fips*

ubuntu/linux-fips*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips*

ubuntu/linux-aws-fips<5.15.0-1105.112+fips1

5.15.0-1105.112+fips1

ubuntu/linux-azure-fips<5.15.0-1110.119+fips1

5.15.0-1110.119+fips1

ubuntu/linux-fips<5.15.0-176.186+fips1

5.15.0-176.186+fips1

ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips<5.15.0-1105.114+fips1

5.15.0-1105.114+fips1

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-intel*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.8*

ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-riscv*

ubuntu/linux-vmware*

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

Upgrade
Upgrade debian/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.1.55-1
Upgrade
Upgrade debian/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.5.6-1
Upgrade
Upgrade debian/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.1.176-1Fixed in 6.1.190-1Fixed in 6.12.107-1Fixed in 6.12.113-1Fixed in 7.2.12-1Fixed in 7.2.13-1
Upgrade
Upgrade linux/Kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.199
Upgrade
Upgrade linux/Kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.1.54
Upgrade
Upgrade linux/Kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.5.4
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1105.112~20.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1110.119~20.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1106.115~20.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-176.186~20.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-ibm-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1099.102~20.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-intel-iotg-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1100.106~20.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-175.185~20.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1057.57~20.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1102.108~20.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1099.103~20.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-176.186
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1105.112
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1110.119
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fde to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1114.123
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1105.114
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gke to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1101.107
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gkeop to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1088.96
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-ibm to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1099.102
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-intel-iotg to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1100.106
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-kvm to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1097.102
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-lowlatency to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-175.185
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1100.101
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1057.57
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra-igx to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1046.46
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1102.108
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-raspi to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1099.102
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-xilinx-zynqmp to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1070.74
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-bluefield to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1089.91
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-intel-iot-realtime to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1097.99
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-realtime to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1104.113
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1105.112+fips1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1110.119+fips1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-176.186+fips1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.15.0-1105.114+fips1

Event History

Oct 7, 2025

CVE Published

via MITRE·03:21 PM

Data Sourced

via MITRE·03:21 PM

Description

Data Sourced

via OSV·03:21 PM

DescriptionAffected Software

Data Sourced

via NVD·04:15 PM

RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Nov 12, 2026

Data Sourced

via OSV·05:23 PM

Severity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2023-53662?

CVE-2023-53662 has a medium severity rating due to the potential for memory leaks in the ext4 file system.

How do I fix CVE-2023-53662?

To fix CVE-2023-53662, update the Linux kernel to the latest version where this vulnerability has been patched.

What systems are affected by CVE-2023-53662?

CVE-2023-53662 affects the Linux kernel, particularly systems using the ext4 file system.

What kind of issue does CVE-2023-53662 represent?

CVE-2023-53662 represents a memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel related to filename casefolding in the ext4 file system.

Is CVE-2023-53662 an exploit that requires user intervention?

CVE-2023-53662 may not require user intervention to exploit, as it occurs within the kernel's memory management during file operations.

CVE-2023-53662: ext4: fix memory leaks in ext4_fname_{setup_filename,prepare_lookup}

Affected Software

Remediation

Event History

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2023-53662?

How do I fix CVE-2023-53662?

What systems are affected by CVE-2023-53662?

What kind of issue does CVE-2023-53662 represent?

Is CVE-2023-53662 an exploit that requires user intervention?

Company

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