Race Condition Vulnerability in Linux Kernel SCMI - CVE-2023-52608
Summary
CVE-2023-52608: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: firmware: arm_scmi: Check mailbox/SMT channel for consistency On reception of a completion interrupt the shared memory area is accessed to retrieve the... Affects linux versions 5.10.103-1 – 6.9.9-1. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The Linux kernel is the core component of Linux operating systems, responsible for managing hardware resources and providing essential services to software applications. It supports a wide range of functionalities, including process management, memory management, and device control. The SCMI (System Control and Management Interface) is a protocol used for communication between different components in a system, particularly in ARM architectures. This vulnerability affects the SCMI implementation within the Linux kernel, which could lead to unexpected behavior and potential security risks.
Vulnerability Detail
CVE-2023-52608 is a race condition vulnerability in the SCMI implementation of the Linux kernel. It occurs when a command times out, causing the channel ownership to remain with the platform, leading to a situation where a late reply can be incorrectly associated with a new request. This can result in the overwriting of the shared memory area, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data or causing system instability. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of completion interrupts and message sequence numbers, which can mislead the SCMI stack during in-flight message lookups.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
Currently, there are no specific workarounds provided for this vulnerability. The best course of action is to apply the available patches as soon as they are released.
Conclusion
CVE-2023-52608 is a significant vulnerability in the Linux kernel's SCMI implementation that poses risks to system integrity and security. Users are strongly advised to update their systems to the latest kernel version to mitigate these risks. Monitoring tools like Vulert can assist in identifying vulnerabilities in your software without requiring code access.
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FAQ
CVE-2023-52608 is a race condition vulnerability in the SCMI implementation of the Linux kernel that can lead to incorrect message handling and potential security risks.
You can use Vulert to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, system instability, or unexpected behavior in applications relying on the SCMI protocol.
Yes, patches have been released for Debian versions 11, 12, and 13. Users should update their Linux kernel to the latest version to mitigate the vulnerability.
While there are no specific workarounds, it is crucial to prioritize applying the patch as soon as possible to protect your system from potential exploitation.
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