CVE-2023-53397: 
Linux Kernel vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2023-53397 is an off-by-one error (CWE-193) in the Linux kernel's modpost tool within the is_executable_section() function. The flaw arises from an incorrect > comparison that should be >=, potentially allowing an out-of-bounds array access. It affects Linux kernel versions from 4.1 through 6.4.x across multiple stable branches. The CVE was published on September 18, 2025, and carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.5 (Medium) (Red Hat Advisory, Feedly).

The root cause is an off-by-one error (CWE-193) in the is_executable_section() function within the Linux kernel's modpost utility, which is used during kernel module build-time processing. The incorrect boundary check (> instead of >=) can result in an out-of-bounds read of an array, potentially triggering undefined behavior or a kernel crash. Exploitation requires local access with low privileges, and no special user interaction is needed. Patches correcting the comparison operator have been applied across multiple stable kernel trees (Red Hat Advisory, kernel.org patches).

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can cause a denial of service (DoS) by triggering an out-of-bounds array access, potentially leading to system instability or a kernel crash. The impact is limited to availability — there is no confidentiality or integrity impact. Because the vulnerability is in the modpost build-time tool rather than a runtime kernel subsystem, the practical attack surface is constrained to environments where kernel module compilation occurs with attacker-influenced input (Feedly, Red Hat Advisory).

There is no public proof-of-concept exploit and no evidence of in-the-wild exploitation as of the time of publication (Feedly). The vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. The EPSS score is approximately 0.024%, reflecting a very low probability of exploitation in the near term. No threat actor attribution has been reported.

Update the Linux kernel to a patched version corresponding to your release branch: 4.14.322+, 5.4.251+, 5.10.188+, 5.15.121+, 6.1.39+, 6.3.13+, 6.4.4+, or 6.5+. Patches are available via the upstream kernel stable trees on kernel.org. As a compensating control, restrict local user privileges to limit exposure in environments where kernel module compilation is performed (Red Hat Advisory, kernel.org patches).