Evidence used
- No CISA KEV confirmation is currently recorded.
- Exploitation requires an existing local or physical foothold with privileges.
- EPSS is 0.28% for the current model date.
BlackTreeCVE IntelligenceFull vulnerability report · 2024
CVE-2023-52491High confidence
media: mtk-jpeg: Fix use after free bug due to error path handling in mtk_jpeg_dec_device_run
Linux · Linux
7.8HighCVSS 3.1
Within 7 days
Patch availableHigh technical severity; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance.
R
Open reassessment dashboard →Operational reassessment
Published severity in operational context
Published severityHigh→Operational priority:Medium, lowered one band.downgradedsince 5 Aug 2026
Compensating controls
- Validate the affected product branch and deploy the verified fixed release.
- Restrict local access and enforce least privilege on affected hosts.
- Monitor vendor guidance and exploitation sources for a material change.
Verification
- Confirm that the asset runs Linux Linux and falls inside the recorded affected range.
- Verify the installed build against the product-specific fixed version after deployment.
- Validate exposure, authentication requirements and compensating controls in the actual environment.
- Reopen this reassessment when CVSS, KEV, EPSS, exploit evidence or remediation changes.
Distribution package intelligence
4 package statesRelease-specific package status
Debian findings are scoped to the named distribution, release and source package. An absent finding does not mean a package is unaffected.
Repository candidate not checked
A published vendor fix does not prove that a matching update is enabled and installable on a particular asset. Confirm the local package candidate before scheduling remediation.
| Distribution release | Source package | Vendor state | Fixed version | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debian trixietrixie · source | linux | Vendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release. | 6.6.15-1 | Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026 |
| Debian bookwormbookworm · source | linux | Vendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release. | 6.1.76-1 | Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026 |
| Debian forkyforky · source | linux | Vendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release. | 6.6.15-1 | Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026 |
| Debian sidsid · source | linux | Vendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release. | 6.6.15-1 | Debian Security Tracker ↗Source updated 6 Oct 2026 |
Direct vendor intelligence
1 currentAuthoritative vendor CSAF and VEX advisories
Structured product status and remediation from the issuing vendor. Product-state explanations are always visible; large lists can be searched or downloaded.
CVE-2023-52491 · CSAF 2.0 · revision 3 · finalRed Hat Product Securitykernel: media: mtk-jpeg: Fix use after free bug due to error path handling in mtk_jpeg_dec_device_run
The vendor explicitly states that these products are not affected by this CVE.
- kernel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- kernel-abi-whitelists as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- kernel-bootwrapper as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- kernel-debug as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- kernel-debug-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- kernel-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- kernel-doc as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- kernel-firmware as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- kernel-headers as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- kernel-kdump as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- kernel-kdump-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- kernel.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- Summary
- This vulnerability in the Linux kernel affects the MediaTek JPEG (mtk-jpeg) media driver. The issue stems from improper error path handling within the decoder function. If a specific error occurs while setting up a decoding job, the driver mistakenly starts a timeout worker process even as it marks the job as finished. This creates a dangerous race condition: if the module is subsequently removed or the file descriptor is closed, the system cleans up and frees the associated memory. However, the improperly started timeout worker may still attempt to access that memory, triggering a use-after-free bug that can crash the kernel. Patched versions resolve this by ensuring the timeout worker is only launched if the main decoding worker successfully initializes, preventing the invalid memory access.
- Remediation
- No remediation text is recorded.
High technical severity; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance.
Patch available01
What, why and how
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: media: mtk-jpeg: Fix use after free bug due to error path handling in mtk_jpeg_dec_device_run In mtk_jpeg_probe, &jpeg->job_timeout_work is bound with mtk_jpeg_job_timeout_work. In mtk_jpeg_dec_device_run, if error happens in mtk_jpeg_set_dec_dst, it will finally start the worker while mark the job as finished by invoking v4l2_m2m_job_finish. There are two methods to trigger the bug. If we remove the module, it which will call mtk_jpeg_remove to make cleanup. The possible sequence is as follows, which will cause a use-after-free bug. CPU0 CPU1 mtk_jpeg_dec_... | start worker | |mtk_jpeg_job_timeout_work mtk_jpeg_remove | v4l2_m2m_release | kfree(m2m_dev); | | | v4l2_m2m_get_curr_priv | m2m_dev->curr_ctx //use If we close the file descriptor, which will call mtk_jpeg_release, it will have a similar sequence. Fix this bug by starting timeout worker only if started jpegdec worker successfully. Then v4l2_m2m_job_finish will only be called in either mtk_jpeg_job_timeout_work or mtk_jpeg_dec_device_run.
What
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: media: mtk-jpeg: Fix use after free bug due to error path handling in mtk_jpeg_dec_device_run In mtk_jpeg_probe, &jpeg->job_timeout_work is bound with mtk_jpeg_job_timeout_work. In mtk_jpeg_dec_device_run, if error happens in mtk_jpeg_set_dec_dst, it will finally start the worker while mark the job as finished by invoking v4l2_m2m_job_finish. There are two methods to trigger the bug. If we remove the module, it which will call mtk_jpeg_remove to make cleanup. The possible sequence is as follows, which will cause a use-after-free bug. CPU0 CPU1 mtk_jpeg_dec_... | start worker | |mtk_jpeg_job_timeout_work mtk_jpeg_remove | v4l2_m2m_release | kfree(m2m_dev); | | | v4l2_m2m_get_curr_priv | m2m_dev->curr_ctx //use If we close the file descriptor, which will call mtk_jpeg_release, it will have a similar sequence. Fix this bug by starting timeout worker only if started jpegdec worker successfully. Then v4l2_m2m_job_finish will only be called in either mtk_jpeg_job_timeout_work or mtk_jpeg_dec_device_run.
Why
The program can continue using memory after it has been released, producing unsafe and attacker-influenceable behaviour.
How
An attacker operating through local access may attempt exploitation with low privileges. If successful, the issue may cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor.
What
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: media: mtk-jpeg: Fix use after free bug due to error path handling in mtk_jpeg_dec_device_run In mtk_jpeg_probe, &jpeg->job_timeout_work is bound with mtk_jpeg_job_timeout_work. In mtk_jpeg_dec_device_run, if error happens in mtk_jpeg_set_dec_dst, it will finally start the worker while mark the job as finished by invoking v4l2_m2m_job_finish. There are two methods to trigger the bug. If we remove the module, it which will call mtk_jpeg_remove to make cleanup. The possible sequence is as follows, which will cause a use-after-free bug. CPU0 CPU1 mtk_jpeg_dec_... | start worker | |mtk_jpeg_job_timeout_work mtk_jpeg_remove | v4l2_m2m_release | kfree(m2m_dev); | | | v4l2_m2m_get_curr_priv | m2m_dev->curr_ctx //use If we close the file descriptor, which will call mtk_jpeg_release, it will have a similar sequence. Fix this bug by starting timeout worker only if started jpegdec worker successfully. Then v4l2_m2m_job_finish will only be called in either mtk_jpeg_job_timeout_work or mtk_jpeg_dec_device_run.
Why
The program can continue using memory after it has been released, producing unsafe and attacker-influenceable behaviour.
How
An attacker operating through local access may attempt exploitation with low privileges. If successful, the issue may cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor.
02
Exploit reality and attack path
CVSS severity, EPSS forecast probability, public exploit material and CISA-confirmed exploitation are separate signals.
Observed exploitation No confirmed evidence
?
Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.No CISA KEV match was present at the last successful refresh. This means no confirmation from that source, not proof of no exploitation.
Public PoC / exploit material None recorded
?
Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.No exploit-tagged reference or CISA SSVC proof-of-concept state is currently recorded. Research may still exist outside the structured feeds.
- Likely attack path
- local access → Use After Free → cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor
- Attack surface
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low: a basic authenticated account is required
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low: no specialised conditions are recorded
- Security boundary
- Unchanged: impact remains within the vulnerable component's security authority
- Weakness
?
CWE means Common Weakness Enumeration: a standard category for the underlying weakness. - CWE-416 ↗
CWE-416: Use After Free. The product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory belongs to the code that operates on the new pointer.
- CVSS vector
?
CVSS means Common Vulnerability Scoring System. The vector records the metric values used to calculate technical severity. CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HCommon Vulnerability Scoring System 3.1: the compact vector below is decoded into plain language.
AVLocalAttack vector: The attacker needs local access to the vulnerable system.ACLowAttack complexity: No specialised conditions are required beyond attacker-controlled input.PRLowPrivileges required: The attacker needs basic user-level privileges.UINoneUser interaction: No action by another user is required.SUnchangedScope: The security impact remains within the vulnerable component's authority.CHighConfidentiality impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.IHighIntegrity impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.AHighAvailability impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.- Post-exploitation / living off the land
- The issue can support a local privilege or sandbox boundary transition; normal system utilities may then be available in the gained context.
03
Patch and workaround
Operational remediation based on structured source evidence.
- Status
?
Patch availability is based on structured fixed-version fields and authoritative update references. If no fix is verified, check the vendor advisory before making a change. - Patch available
- Action
- Review the linked authoritative reference and apply the recorded fixed release appropriate to the affected product branch.
- Workaround
- No verified workaround is recorded. Limit untrusted access and use least privilege until authoritative guidance is available.
04
Evidence and provenance
Published 29 Feb 2024 · Last source change 5 Aug 2026, 09:10 UTC · CWE-416 · Use After Free
CVE recordCVE.org · 5.2
CVSS sourceCNA
EPSS source FIRST · tracked since 2026-08-14
?
The date BlackTree first stored a score for this CVE from the daily FIRST EPSS feed.European sourceENISA EUVD · EUVD-2023-57116
Product sourceCNA
Remediation sourceCVE/CNA references
CWE sourceNIST NVD
NVD statusNVD modified after enrichment
Core structured fields are present and their contributing authorities are shown above.
Material change intelligence
View recent updates ↗What changed after publication
No material field changes have been recorded since change tracking began. Routine source refreshes and cosmetic edits are intentionally excluded.
Technical terms and abbreviations used in this report
- CVE
- Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures: the public identifier for one disclosed vulnerability.
- CVSS
- Common Vulnerability Scoring System: a technical severity framework; it is not patching priority by itself.
- EPSS
- Exploit Prediction Scoring System: FIRST's estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days; it is a forecast, not confirmation.
- CWE
- Common Weakness Enumeration: the standard category describing the underlying software or hardware weakness.
- CNA
- CVE Numbering Authority: an organisation authorised to assign and publish CVE records.
- CISA ADP
- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Authorized Data Publisher: structured enrichment added to a CVE record.
- NVD
- National Vulnerability Database: NIST's enrichment service for CVE records.
- CERT / CSIRT
- A computer security incident response team that publishes warnings or coordinates incident response.
- PoC
- Proof of concept: public material that demonstrates or helps reproduce exploitation.
- CSAF
- Common Security Advisory Framework: a machine-readable format for security advisories.
- LoTL
- Living off the land: abuse of legitimate tools or system functions during an attack.