CVE-2023-54059 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 12/24/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
soc: mediatek: mtk-svs: Enable the IRQ later
If the system does not come from reset (like when is booted via kexec()), the peripheral might triger an IRQ before the data structures are initialised.
[ 0.227710] Unable to handle kernel NULL pointer dereference at virtual address 0000000000000f08
[ 0.227913] Call trace:
[ 0.227918] svs_isr+0x8c/0x538
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2023-54059 represents a critical race condition in the MediaTek SVS (System Voltage Scaling) driver within the Linux kernel's system-on-chip subsystem. This issue manifests when the system boots through mechanisms other than traditional hardware reset, such as kexec-based boot processes where the kernel transitions to a new kernel image without a full system reboot. The core problem lies in the timing of interrupt controller initialization relative to peripheral interrupt generation, creating a window where hardware interrupts can be triggered before the necessary data structures are properly set up. This fundamental timing issue falls under the category of improper initialization vulnerabilities and aligns with CWE-665 improper initialization of resources, specifically affecting interrupt handling mechanisms in embedded system drivers.
The technical flaw occurs within the mtk-svs driver where the interrupt service routine svs_isr is invoked before the interrupt controller is fully enabled and the associated data structures are initialized. When a system boots via kexec, the peripheral hardware may generate interrupts immediately upon power-on or system initialization, but the kernel's interrupt handling framework has not yet been configured to properly process these events. The NULL pointer dereference at virtual address 0000000000000f08 indicates that the interrupt handler attempts to access memory locations that have not been properly allocated or initialized, resulting in an immediate kernel oops and system crash. This vulnerability directly impacts the kernel's ability to handle asynchronous events during boot sequences and represents a classic example of a race condition between hardware initialization and software interrupt handling, which can be categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 command and script interpreter execution with kernel-level implications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability, potentially enabling attackers to cause denial of service conditions or, in more sophisticated scenarios, exploit the timing window to manipulate kernel memory structures. The vulnerability affects systems using MediaTek SoCs that implement the SVS subsystem, particularly those employing kexec for fast boot scenarios or kernel updates. Attackers could potentially leverage this condition to force system crashes or create conditions that might allow for privilege escalation, though the direct attack surface is limited to systems that boot via kexec. The vulnerability demonstrates how embedded system drivers can contain subtle timing issues that are difficult to detect during normal operation but become exploitable under specific boot conditions. Organizations running embedded systems, server infrastructure, or devices using MediaTek processors should consider the broader implications for system reliability and security, especially in environments where kexec operations are common or where the system may be subjected to various boot scenarios.
Mitigation strategies should focus on proper initialization sequencing and interrupt handling within the kernel driver. The recommended fix involves enabling the interrupt controller after all necessary data structures are properly initialized, ensuring that no hardware interrupts can be generated during the critical initialization phase. System administrators should ensure that kernel updates containing the patched mtk-svs driver are applied promptly, particularly in environments where kexec operations are performed regularly. Additionally, monitoring for kernel oops messages and system crashes during boot sequences can help identify systems affected by this vulnerability. The fix aligns with the principle of defensive programming and proper resource management, ensuring that interrupt handling is only enabled when the system is in a consistent state. Organizations should also consider implementing proper boot sequence validation and testing procedures to catch similar timing issues in other kernel subsystems, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of considering all possible boot paths and initialization sequences in embedded system security design.