Vulnerability in powerpc/rtas package: Keep MSR[RI] set when calling RTAS

Kernel Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

28/06/2022

Disclosed on

N/A

Severity

No i

Fix available

Unrated

Severity

Not published

CVSS Score

GSD-2022-1002708: powerpc/rtas: Keep MSR[RI] set when calling RTAS. Affects Kernel versions < c9c41f0273826a13ac93124e66a4ff45df281ba0. No fix is published. How to fix ↓

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Background

The powerpc/rtas package is a component of the Linux Kernel that provides support for the PowerPC architecture's Runtime Abstraction Services (RTAS). RTAS is a firmware interface used by PowerPC-based systems to interact with the hardware and perform various system management tasks. The package is responsible for handling the communication between the operating system and the RTAS firmware. It is widely used in PowerPC-based systems running the Linux operating system.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability in the powerpc/rtas package allows an attacker to manipulate the Machine State Register (MSR) when calling RTAS. The MSR is a special register in the PowerPC architecture that controls various processor settings, including interrupt handling. By modifying the MSR during an RTAS call, an attacker can potentially disrupt the normal operation of the system or gain elevated privileges. The impact and attack plausibility of this vulnerability have not been proven yet, but it poses a potential security risk to systems running the affected version of the Linux Kernel.

How To Fix

No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.

The vulnerability has been fixed in Linux Kernel version v5.18.3 by commit c9c41f0273826a13ac93124e66a4ff45df281ba0. To fix the vulnerability, users should update their Linux Kernel to version v5.18.3 or later. This can be done by downloading the latest kernel source code from the official Linux Kernel repository (https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git/) and compiling it according to the system's architecture and configuration. Detailed instructions on how to build and install the Linux Kernel can be found in the official documentation.

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Workaround

There is no specific workaround mentioned for this vulnerability.

Conclusion

The vulnerability in the powerpc/rtas package can potentially lead to system disruption or unauthorized privilege escalation. It is recommended to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.18.3 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.

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