CVE-2023-53007

tracing: Make sure trace_printk() can output as soon as it can be used

Published Mar 27, 2025 CVSS 3.1 · 5.5 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

tracing: Make sure trace_printk() can output as soon as it can be used

Currently trace_printk() can be used as soon as early_trace_init() is
called from start_kernel(). But if a crash happens, and
"ftrace_dump_on_oops" is set on the kernel command line, all you get will
be:

[ 0.456075] <idle>-0 0dN.2. 347519us : Unknown type 6
[ 0.456075] <idle>-0 0dN.2. 353141us : Unknown type 6
[ 0.456075] <idle>-0 0dN.2. 358684us : Unknown type 6

This is because the trace_printk() event (type 6) hasn't been registered
yet. That gets done via an early_initcall(), which may be early, but not
early enough.

Instead of registering the trace_printk() event (and other ftrace events,
which are not trace events) via an early_initcall(), have them registered at
the same time that trace_printk() can be used. This way, if there is a
crash before early_initcall(), then the trace_printk()s will actually be
useful.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2023-59713 In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: tracing: Make sure trace_printk() can output as soon as it can be used Currently trace_printk() can be used as soon as early_trace_init() is called from start_kernel(). But if a crash happens, and "ftrace_dump_on_oops" is set on the kernel command line, all you get will be: [ 0.456075] <idle>-0 0dN.2. 347519us : Unknown type 6 [ 0.456075] <idle>-0 0dN.2. 353141us : Unknown type 6 [ 0.456075] <idle>-0 0dN.2. 358684us : Unknown type 6 This is because the trace_printk() event (type 6) hasn't been registered yet. That gets done via an early_initcall(), which may be early, but not early enough. Instead of registering the trace_printk() event (and other ftrace events, which are not trace events) via an early_initcall(), have them registered at the same time that trace_printk() can be used. This way, if there is a crash before early_initcall(), then the trace_printk()s will actually be useful.
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses NVD-CWE-noinfo
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.2:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.2:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.2:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.2:rc4:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.2:rc5:*:*:*:*:*:*
Type Values Removed Values Added
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

threat_severity

Low

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: tracing: Make sure trace_printk() can output as soon as it can be used Currently trace_printk() can be used as soon as early_trace_init() is called from start_kernel(). But if a crash happens, and "ftrace_dump_on_oops" is set on the kernel command line, all you get will be: [ 0.456075] <idle>-0 0dN.2. 347519us : Unknown type 6 [ 0.456075] <idle>-0 0dN.2. 353141us : Unknown type 6 [ 0.456075] <idle>-0 0dN.2. 358684us : Unknown type 6 This is because the trace_printk() event (type 6) hasn't been registered yet. That gets done via an early_initcall(), which may be early, but not early enough. Instead of registering the trace_printk() event (and other ftrace events, which are not trace events) via an early_initcall(), have them registered at the same time that trace_printk() can be used. This way, if there is a crash before early_initcall(), then the trace_printk()s will actually be useful.
Title tracing: Make sure trace_printk() can output as soon as it can be used
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
Linux
Published
Updated
Nov 5, 2026, 8:20 PM
Reserved
Mar 27, 2025, 4:40 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Mar 27, 2025, 5:15 PM
Modified
Nov 5, 2026, 9:17 PM
Severity
Low
Public date
Mar 27, 2025, 12:00 AM