CVE-2023-52481

arm64: errata: Add Cortex-A520 speculative unprivileged load workaround

MEDIUM
4.7
CVSS Score
Published: February 29, 2024 at 05:43 AM UTC
Updated: August 15, 2026 at 01:17 PM UTC
1 product affected across 1 vendorLinux Kernel

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Severity
MEDIUM4.7
Exploit prediction
EPSS 0.6%
SSVC
No known exploit

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: arm64: errata: Add Cortex-A520 speculative unprivileged load workaround Implement the workaround for ARM Cortex-A520 erratum 2966298. On an affected Cortex-A520 core, a speculatively executed unprivileged load might leak data from a privileged load via a cache side channel. The issue only exists for loads within a translation regime with the same translation (e.g. same ASID and VMID). Therefore, the issue only affects the return to EL0. The workaround is to execute a TLBI before returning to EL0 after all loads of privileged data. A non-shareable TLBI to any address is sufficient. The workaround isn't necessary if page table isolation (KPTI) is enabled, but for simplicity it will be. Page table isolation should normally be disabled for Cortex-A520 as it supports the CSV3 feature and the E0PD feature (used when KASLR is enabled).

Affected

Our own answer: ranges merged, affected separated from platform-only, with confidence and review flags.

v < 6.1.573.7 ≤ v < 6.1.573.7 ≤ v < 6.5.73.7 ≤ v < 6.66.2 ≤ v < 6.5.76.6 rc16.6 rc26.6 rc36.6 rc460ffc30d5652810dd34ea2eec41504222f5d5791
Vendor states this is fixed in 32b0a4ffcaea44a00a61e40c0d1bcc50362aee25 (fixed)
Vendor states this is fixed in 471470bc7052d28ce125901877dd10e4c048e513 (fixed)
Vendor states this is fixed in 6e3ae2927b432a3b7c8374f14dbc1bd9ebe4372c (fixed)
Vendor states this is fixed in 3.7 (unaffected)
Vendor states this is fixed in 6.1.57 (unaffected)
Vendor states this is fixed in 6.5.7 (unaffected)
Vendor states this is fixed in 6.6 (unaffected)

References (3)

Patch
Source: 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/32b0a4ffcaea44a00a61e40c0d1bcc50362aee25
Patch
Source: 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/471470bc7052d28ce125901877dd10e4c048e513
Patch
Source: 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6e3ae2927b432a3b7c8374f14dbc1bd9ebe4372c

SSVC — Action Prioritization

SSVCNo known exploitNot automatablePartial impact

SSVC signals action urgency (what to patch first), separate from CVSS which measures severity.

CVSS

4.7MEDIUMCISA-ADP
Attack Vector
NETWORK
Complexity
LOW
Privileges
HIGH
User Interaction
NONE
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
LOW
Integrity
LOW
Availability
LOW
Vector?

Quick Info

StatusANALYZED
CWE
NVD-CWE-noinfo

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