CVE-2023-52494
📋 TL;DR
This CVE addresses an alignment vulnerability in the Linux kernel's MHI host bus driver where an unaligned event ring read pointer could cause denial of service or memory corruption. Systems using the MHI bus interface for modem communication are affected, particularly those with Qualcomm-based hardware. The vulnerability requires local access to exploit.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with MHI host bus driver
📦 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Kernel panic leading to system crash, potential memory corruption enabling privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution in kernel context.
Likely Case
System instability, kernel crashes, or denial of service affecting modem functionality and related services.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact with proper access controls preventing unprivileged users from triggering the vulnerability.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and ability to interact with MHI bus interface. No public exploits known at this time.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Fixed in kernel commits: 2df39ac8f813860f79782807c3f7acff40b3c551, 94991728c84f8df54fd9eec9b85855ef9057ea08, a9ebfc405fe1be145f414eafadcbf09506082010, ecf8320111822a1ae5d5fc512953eab46d543d0b, eff9704f5332a13b08fbdbe0f84059c9e7051d5f
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2df39ac8f813860f79782807c3f7acff40b3c551
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Check your distribution's security advisories for specific patched kernel versions. 3. Reboot system after kernel update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable MHI bus module
linuxPrevent loading of the vulnerable MHI host bus driver if not required
echo 'blacklist mhi' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod mhi
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict access to MHI bus interface using appropriate permissions and access controls
- Implement strict user privilege management to prevent unprivileged users from accessing system resources
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and verify if MHI module is loaded: lsmod | grep mhi && uname -rCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is updated beyond fix commits and MHI module loads without issues📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- MHI bus errors in dmesg
- System crashes related to modem functionality
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "mhi" OR "bus error")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2df39ac8f813860f79782807c3f7acff40b3c551
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/94991728c84f8df54fd9eec9b85855ef9057ea08
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a9ebfc405fe1be145f414eafadcbf09506082010
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ecf8320111822a1ae5d5fc512953eab46d543d0b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/eff9704f5332a13b08fbdbe0f84059c9e7051d5f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2df39ac8f813860f79782807c3f7acff40b3c551
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/94991728c84f8df54fd9eec9b85855ef9057ea08
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a9ebfc405fe1be145f414eafadcbf09506082010
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ecf8320111822a1ae5d5fc512953eab46d543d0b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/eff9704f5332a13b08fbdbe0f84059c9e7051d5f
