arm64: errata: Add Cortex-A520 speculative unprivileged load workaround
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- High
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- Low · Low · Low
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 4 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CISA ADP. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat.
Summary
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).
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 3.7 and later | 6.1.57, 6.5.7, 6.6 | Patch available | CNA |
- Linux VendorLinux Affected 3.7 and later Fixed in 6.1.57, 6.5.7, 6.6 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 5
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 6.1.57; 6.2 to before 6.5.7 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.6:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.6 rc1 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.6:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.6 rc2 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.6:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.6 rc3 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.6:rc4:*:*:*:*:*:* | 6.6 rc4 | Vulnerable | Linux |
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 6.1.57; 6.2 to before 6.5.7 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.6:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.6 rc1 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.6:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.6 rc2 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.6:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.6 rc3 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.6:rc4:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 6.6 rc4 Vulnerable ·Linux
Remediation
- Fix · CNA Linux (Linux) Fixed in 6.1.57, 6.5.7, 6.6
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Low. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | Affected | No fix planned: Out of support scope |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | Affected | No fix planned: Out of support scope |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2023-52481
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-3qpr-v3fc-q5q5
References
More Linux Kernel vulnerabilities
- TI-2025-26358 tls: fix handling of zero-length records on the rx_list KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2026-38352 netfilter: bridge: make ebt_snat ARP rewrite writable KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2013-05264 The (1) get_user and (2) put_user API functions in the Linux kernel before 3.5.5 on the… KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2022-00125 Integer overflow in kernel KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.4
- TI-2013-01864 The perf_swevent_init function in kernel/events/core.c in the Linux kernel before 3.8.9… KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.4
- TI-2021-05514 Heap Out-Of-Bounds Write in Netfilter IP6T_SO_SET_REPLACE KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.3
Sources
- CVE-2023-52481 · CVE Program
- CVE-2023-52481 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-3qpr-v3fc-q5q5 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2023-52481 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences