In the Linux kernel, a vulnerability has been resolved that affects the handling of IRQ1 wakeup sources. This vulnerability allows for potential system instability when the platform firmware has not been properly configured. The issue arises specifically in the context of the PMC driver, which manages power management functions for AMD platforms.
Severity levels are determined by the CVSS score, which in this case is 5.5, categorizing it as a medium severity vulnerability. The risk to organizations includes potential system warnings and instability due to the improper handling of IRQ wakeup sources.
Exploitation status indicates that there is no known public exploit, but organizations should remain vigilant. The urgency for defenders is medium, and they should schedule remediation as soon as feasible to avoid potential issues.
To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should ensure that they are using patched versions of the Linux kernel. The necessary patches are designed to address the IRQ1 wakeup handling appropriately.
Vulnerability Details
In the Linux kernel, the vulnerability has been identified in the platform/x86/amd/pmc module. The wakeup for IRQ1 should only be disabled when i8042 has enabled it. Failure to do so results in the 'wake_depth' for this IRQ attempting to drop below zero, triggering an unwanted warning log.
The CVSS score of 5.5 indicates a medium severity level, with an availability impact classified as high. Affected products include several versions of the Linux kernel, specifically those in the ranges of 5.15.95 to 5.16, 6.1.11 to 6.1.140, and 6.2.1 to 6.6.72, as well as other release candidates.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper management of IRQ wakeup sources within the Linux kernel. The PMC driver uses DEFINE_SIMPLE_DEV_PM_OPS() to define its power management operations, but it has a flaw in how it handles the suspension of power management for specific devices.
The attack vector is local, meaning that an attacker would need local access to the system to exploit this vulnerability. The attack complexity is low, as it does not require specialized knowledge or skills. Privileges required for exploitation are low, and there is no user interaction necessary.
The availability impact of this vulnerability is high, as it can lead to system warnings and potential instability during critical operations such as hibernation. However, there is no impact on confidentiality or integrity.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations utilizing affected versions of the Linux kernel should recognize the real-world risk associated with this vulnerability. While exploitation may require local access, the potential for system warnings and instability during operations such as hibernation poses a significant risk.
The blast radius for this vulnerability is moderate, affecting users who rely on the affected kernel versions. Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle to mitigate risks.
The urgency assessment, based on the CVSS score, indicates that organizations should schedule remediation to address this vulnerability effectively.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The following versions of the Linux kernel are affected by this vulnerability: All versions from 5.15.95 to 5.16, 6.1.11 to 6.1.140, and 6.2.1 to 6.6.72, as well as specific release candidates.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize applying the latest patches to their Linux kernels to remediate this vulnerability. The relevant patches can be found through the official Linux kernel repositories.
For further guidance, organizations can consider conducting a thorough penetration testing to assess their security posture.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor system logs for unusual warning messages related to IRQ wakeup handling. Additionally, behavioral anomalies during system hibernation should be carefully evaluated.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
This vulnerability highlights a critical aspect of kernel-level power management and its impact on system stability. Security teams should take this opportunity to review their kernel configurations and ensure proper settings are in place.
The incident underscores the importance of timely patch management practices to prevent vulnerabilities from impacting production environments. Organizations may benefit from implementing a comprehensive vulnerability management program to systematically identify and address potential security weaknesses.
Furthermore, organizations should consider enhancing their security measures through continuous assessments, such as penetration testing methodology, to proactively identify and remediate vulnerabilities.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)