CVE-2023-52481

Public on

Last Modified: UTC

Description

The CVE Program describes this issue as:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: arm64: errata: Add Cortex-A520 speculative unprivileged load workaround Implement the workaround for ARM Cortex-A520 erratum 2966298. On an affected Cortex-A520 core, a speculatively executed unprivileged load might leak data from a privileged load via a cache side channel. The issue only exists for loads within a translation regime with the same translation (e.g. same ASID and VMID). Therefore, the issue only affects the return to EL0. The workaround is to execute a TLBI before returning to EL0 after all loads of privileged data. A non-shareable TLBI to any address is sufficient. The workaround isn't necessary if page table isolation (KPTI) is enabled, but for simplicity it will be. Page table isolation should normally be disabled for Cortex-A520 as it supports the CSV3 feature and the E0PD feature (used when KASLR is enabled).

Additional information

  • Bugzilla 2267030: kernel: arm64: errata: Add Cortex-A520 speculative unprivileged load workaround
  • CWE-1300: Improper Protection of Physical Side Channels
  • FAQ: Frequently asked questions about CVE-2023-52481

Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details

Important note

CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).

The following CVSS metrics and score provided are preliminary and subject to review.

CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
Red HatNVD

CVSS v3 Base Score

6

N/A

Attack Vector

Local

N/A

Attack Complexity

Low

N/A

Privileges Required

High

N/A

User Interaction

None

N/A

Scope

Unchanged

N/A

Confidentiality Impact

High

N/A

Integrity Impact

None

N/A

Availability Impact

High

N/A

CVSS v3 Vector

Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H

Understanding the Weakness (CWE)

CWE-1300

Confidentiality

Technical Impact: Read Memory; Read Application Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Red Hat's CVSS v3 score or Impact different from other vendors?

My product is listed as "Under investigation" or "Affected", when will Red Hat release a fix for this vulnerability?

What can I do if my product is listed as "Will not fix"?

What can I do if my product is listed as "Fix deferred"?

What is a mitigation?

I have a Red Hat product but it is not in the above list, is it affected?

Why is my security scanner reporting my product as vulnerable to this vulnerability even though my product version is fixed or not affected?

My product is listed as "Out of Support Scope". What does this mean?

Want to get errata notifications? Sign up here.