CVE-2023-53216

What it is

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: arm64: efi: Make efi_rt_lock a raw_spinlock Running a rt-kernel base on 6.2.0-rc3-rt1 on an Ampere Altra outputs the following: BUG: sleeping function called from invalid context at kernel/locking/spinlock_rt.c:46 in_atomic(): 1, irqs_disabled(): 0, non_block: 0, pid: 9, name: kworker/u320:0 preempt_count: 2, expected: 0 RCU nest depth: 0, expected: 0 3 locks held by kworker/u320:0/9: #0: ffff3fff8c27d128 ((wq_completion)efi_rts_wq){+.+.}-{0:0}, at: process_one_work (./include/linux/atomic/atomic-long.h:41) #1: ffff80000861bdd0 ((work_completion)(&efi_rts_work.work)){+.+.}-{0:0}, at: process_one_work (./include/linux/atomic/atomic-long.h:41) #2: ffffdf7e1ed3e460 (efi_rt_lock){+.+.}-{3:3}, at: efi_call_rts (drivers/firmware/efi/runtime-wrappers.c:101) Preemption disabled at: efi_virtmap_load (./arch/arm64/include/asm/mmu_context.h:248) CPU: 0 PID: 9 Comm: kworker/u320:0 Tainted: G W 6.2.0-rc3-rt1 Hardware name: WIWYNN Mt.Jade Server System B81.03001.0005/Mt.Jade Motherboard, BIOS 1.08.20220218 (SCP: 1.08.20220218) 2022/02/18 Workqueue: efi_rts_wq efi_call_rts Call trace: dump_backtrace (arch/arm64/kernel/stacktrace.c:158) show_stack (arch/arm64/kernel/stacktrace.c:165) dump_stack_lvl (lib/dump_stack.c:107 (discriminator 4)) dump_stack (lib/dump_stack.c:114) __might_resched (kernel/sched/core.c:10134) rt_spin_lock (kernel/locking/rtmutex.c:1769 (discriminator 4)) efi_call_rts (drivers/firmware/efi/runtime-wrappers.c:101) [...] This seems to come from commit ff7a167961d1 ("arm64: efi: Execute runtime services from a dedicated stack") which adds a spinlock. This spinlock is taken through: efi_call_rts() \-efi_call_virt() \-efi_call_virt_pointer() \-arch_efi_call_virt_setup() Make 'efi_rt_lock' a raw_spinlock to avoid being preempted. [ardb: The EFI runtime services are called with a different set of translation tables, and are permitted to use the SIMD registers. The context switch code preserves/restores neither, and so EFI calls must be made with preemption disabled, rather than only disabling migration.]

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine with a low-privilege account. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, 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. 2025-09-15 15:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 06:44 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: 7.8 HIGH (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2025-09-15 15:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 06:44 UTC

Exploit probability

0.2% · EPSS, next 30 days

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Linux Kernel < 5.10.175
• Linux Kernel < 5.15.103
• Linux Kernel < 6.1.18
• Linux Kernel < 6.2.5

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 7.8

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2023-53216.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2023-53216. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

Copy as ticket · More options · Status badge