CVE-2023-52499

What it is

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: powerpc/47x: Fix 47x syscall return crash Eddie reported that newer kernels were crashing during boot on his 476 FSP2 system: kernel tried to execute user page (b7ee2000) - exploit attempt? (uid: 0) BUG: Unable to handle kernel instruction fetch Faulting instruction address: 0xb7ee2000 Oops: Kernel access of bad area, sig: 11 [#1] BE PAGE_SIZE=4K FSP-2 Modules linked in: CPU: 0 PID: 61 Comm: mount Not tainted 6.1.55-d23900f.ppcnf-fsp2 #1 Hardware name: ibm,fsp2 476fpe 0x7ff520c0 FSP-2 NIP:  b7ee2000 LR: 8c008000 CTR: 00000000 REGS: bffebd83 TRAP: 0400   Not tainted (6.1.55-d23900f.ppcnf-fs p2) MSR:  00000030 <IR,DR>  CR: 00001000  XER: 20000000 GPR00: c00110ac bffebe63 bffebe7e bffebe88 8c008000 00001000 00000d12 b7ee2000 GPR08: 00000033 00000000 00000000 c139df10 48224824 1016c314 10160000 00000000 GPR16: 10160000 10160000 00000008 00000000 10160000 00000000 10160000 1017f5b0 GPR24: 1017fa50 1017f4f0 1017fa50 1017f740 1017f630 00000000 00000000 1017f4f0 NIP [b7ee2000] 0xb7ee2000 LR [8c008000] 0x8c008000 Call Trace: Instruction dump: XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX ---[ end trace 0000000000000000 ]--- The problem is in ret_from_syscall where the check for icache_44x_need_flush is done. When the flush is needed the code jumps out-of-line to do the flush, and then intends to jump back to continue the syscall return. However the branch back to label 1b doesn't return to the correct location, instead branching back just prior to the return to userspace, causing bogus register values to be used by the rfi. The breakage was introduced by commit 6f76a01173cc ("powerpc/syscall: implement system call entry/exit logic in C for PPC32") which inadvertently removed the "1" label and reused it elsewhere. Fix it by adding named local labels in the correct locations. Note that the return label needs to be outside the ifdef so that CONFIG_PPC_47x=n compiles.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine with a low-privilege account. High risk of service disruption.

Exploit odds

0.2% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2024-03-02 22:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 06:42 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.2% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 5.5 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2024-03-02 22:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 06:42 UTC

Exploit probability

0.2% · EPSS, next 30 days

Record status

Analyzed

Affected

• Linux Kernel < 5.15.137
• Linux Kernel < 6.1.59
• Linux Kernel < 6.5.8
• Linux Kernel 6.6

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 5.5

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

None

Availability

High

Is it in your code?

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Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2023-52499.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2023-52499. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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