Linux Kernel on x86 Speculative Execution x86/power/cpu.c pm_cpu_check covert timing channel

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 4.3 | $0-$5k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel on x86 and classified as problematic. This issue affects the function pm_cpu_check of the file x86/power/cpu.c of the component Speculative Execution. The manipulation leads to covert timing channel.
This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2023-1637. An attack has to be approached locally. There is no exploit available.
It is suggested to install a patch to address this issue.
Details
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in Linux Kernel on x86 (Operating System) (the affected version unknown). This issue affects the function pm_cpu_check of the file x86/power/cpu.c of the component Speculative Execution. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a covert timing channel vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-385. Covert timing channels convey information by modulating some aspect of system behavior over time, so that the program receiving the information can observe system behavior and infer protected information. Impacted is confidentiality. The summary by CVE is:
A flaw that boot CPU could be vulnerable for the speculative execution behavior kind of attacks in the Linux kernel X86 CPU Power management options functionality was found in the way user resuming CPU from suspend-to-RAM. A local user could use this flaw to potentially get unauthorized access to some memory of the CPU similar to the speculative execution behavior kind of attacks.
The weakness was shared 03/28/2023. The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2023-1637 since 03/26/2023. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.
Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at git.kernel.org.
The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at EUVD (EUVD-2023-23866). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Product
Type
Vendor
Name
License
Website
- Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔍VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 4.4VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.3
VulDB Base Score: 3.3
VulDB Temp Score: 3.2
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔍
CVSSv2
| AV | AC | Au | C | I | A |
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| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
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| Vector | Complexity | Authentication | Confidentiality | Integrity | Availability |
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Covert timing channelCWE: CWE-385
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍
Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No
Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined
EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍
| 0-Day | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
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Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: PatchStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Patch: git.kernel.org
Timeline
03/26/2023 🔍03/28/2023 🔍
03/28/2023 🔍
08/11/2025 🔍
Sources
Vendor: kernel.orgAdvisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2023-1637 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-1637
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-224129
EUVD: 🔍
Entry
Created: 03/28/2023 08:01Updated: 08/11/2025 08:35
Changes: 03/28/2023 08:01 (43), 04/15/2023 21:21 (11), 08/11/2025 08:35 (16)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
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