CVE-2023-52482
📋 TL;DR
This CVE addresses a speculative return stack overflow (SRSO) vulnerability in the Linux kernel affecting Hygon processors. It allows attackers to potentially leak sensitive information or execute arbitrary code through speculative execution side-channels. Systems running Linux kernels on Hygon processors are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel
📦 What is this software?
Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could bypass kernel address space layout randomization (KASLR) and leak sensitive kernel memory, potentially leading to privilege escalation or information disclosure.
Likely Case
Information disclosure through side-channel attacks, allowing attackers to infer kernel memory layout or leak sensitive data.
If Mitigated
With proper mitigations, the attack surface is significantly reduced, though some residual risk may remain depending on system configuration.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and knowledge of speculative execution attacks. This is a CPU-level vulnerability requiring specific processor architecture knowledge.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Linux kernel versions containing the fix commits: 6ce2f297a7168274547d0b5aea6c7c16268b8a96, a5ef7d68cea1344cf524f04981c2b3f80bedbb0d, cf43b304b6952b549d58feabc342807b334f03d4, e7ea043bc3f19473561c08565047b3f1671bf35d, f090a8b4d2e3ec6f318d6fdab243a2edc5a8cc37
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6ce2f297a7168274547d0b5aea6c7c16268b8a96
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Reboot the system. 3. Verify the mitigation is active using appropriate kernel parameters or sysfs entries.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable speculative execution features
linuxDisable CPU speculative execution features at kernel boot time
Add 'nospec_store_bypass_disable' or 'spectre_v2=off' to kernel boot parameters
Enable retpoline mitigations
linuxForce use of retpoline mitigations for indirect branches
Add 'retpoline=full' to kernel boot parameters
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to limit local user privileges
- Monitor system for unusual activity and implement intrusion detection systems
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and processor type. Systems with Hygon processors running unpatched kernels are vulnerable.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Check that kernel version includes the fix commits and verify SRSO mitigation is active in /sys/devices/system/cpu/vulnerabilities/📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic logs
- Unusual process behavior indicating privilege escalation attempts
Network Indicators:
- Not applicable - local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
Search for kernel version changes, reboot events, or privilege escalation attempts on systems with Hygon processors🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6ce2f297a7168274547d0b5aea6c7c16268b8a96
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a5ef7d68cea1344cf524f04981c2b3f80bedbb0d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cf43b304b6952b549d58feabc342807b334f03d4
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e7ea043bc3f19473561c08565047b3f1671bf35d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f090a8b4d2e3ec6f318d6fdab243a2edc5a8cc37
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6ce2f297a7168274547d0b5aea6c7c16268b8a96
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a5ef7d68cea1344cf524f04981c2b3f80bedbb0d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cf43b304b6952b549d58feabc342807b334f03d4
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e7ea043bc3f19473561c08565047b3f1671bf35d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f090a8b4d2e3ec6f318d6fdab243a2edc5a8cc37
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/06/msg00017.html
