Critical Vulnerability in Linux Kernel: CPU Hotplug Issue
Summary
CVE-2023-52831: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: cpu/hotplug: Don't offline the last non-isolated CPU If a system has isolated CPUs via the "isolcpus=" command line parameter, then an attempt to offlin... 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 the Linux operating system, responsible for managing system resources and facilitating communication between hardware and software. It supports a wide range of hardware architectures and is known for its stability, performance, and security features. However, the kernel is susceptible to vulnerabilities, such as CVE-2023-52831, which affects CPU hotplug functionality, potentially leading to system crashes.
Vulnerability Detail
CVE-2023-52831 is a vulnerability in the Linux kernel that arises when a system attempts to offline the last non-isolated CPU while using the 'isolcpus=' command line parameter. This action triggers a WARN_ON() during the rebuilding of scheduler domains, leading to a panic due to an unhandled empty CPU mask in the partition_sched_domains_locked() function. The resulting crash can disrupt system operations and compromise stability, making it critical to address this issue promptly.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, users can avoid offlining the last housekeeping CPU to prevent triggering the vulnerability. This can be done by ensuring that at least one housekeeping CPU remains online when performing CPU hotplug operations.
Conclusion
CVE-2023-52831 represents a significant vulnerability in the Linux kernel that can lead to system crashes when improperly managing CPU hotplug operations. Users are advised to update their kernel to the latest version to mitigate this risk. In the meantime, avoiding offlining the last housekeeping CPU can serve as a temporary workaround.
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FAQ
CVE-2023-52831 is a vulnerability in the Linux kernel that can cause system crashes when attempting to offline the last non-isolated CPU.
If exploited, this vulnerability can lead to system instability and crashes, affecting the overall performance and reliability of your system.
The vulnerability affects various Debian-based systems running specific versions of the Linux kernel, particularly Debian 11, 12, and 13.
You can use tools like Vulert to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected without requiring signup.
If an immediate update is not possible, ensure that you do not offline the last housekeeping CPU as a temporary workaround to mitigate the risk.
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