CVE-2021-47632: powerpc/set_memory: Avoid spinlock recursion in change_page_attr()
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
powerpc/set_memory: Avoid spinlock recursion in change_page_attr()
Commit 1f9ad21c3b38 ("powerpc/mm: Implement set_memory() routines")
included a spin_lock() to change_page_attr() in order to
safely perform the three step operations. But then
commit 9f7853d7609d ("powerpc/mm: Fix set_memory_*() against
concurrent accesses") modify it to use pte_update() and do
the operation safely against concurrent access.
In the meantime, Maxime reported some spinlock recursion.
[ 15.351649] BUG: spinlock recursion on CPU#0, kworker/0:2/217
[ 15.357540] lock: init_mm+0x3c/0x420, .magic: dead4ead, .owner: kworker/0:2/217, .owner_cpu: 0
[ 15.366563] CPU: 0 PID: 217 Comm: kworker/0:2 Not tainted 5.15.0+ #523
[ 15.373350] Workqueue: events do_free_init
[ 15.377615] Call Trace:
[ 15.380232] [e4105ac0] [800946a4] do_raw_spin_lock+0xf8/0x120 (unreliable)
[ 15.387340] [e4105ae0] [8001f4ec] change_page_attr+0x40/0x1d4
[ 15.393413] [e4105b10] [801424e0] __apply_to_page_range+0x164/0x310
[ 15.400009] [e4105b60] [80169620] free_pcp_prepare+0x1e4/0x4a0
[ 15.406045] [e4105ba0] [8016c5a0] free_unref_page+0x40/0x2b8
[ 15.411979] [e4105be0] [8018724c] kasan_depopulate_vmalloc_pte+0x6c/0x94
[ 15.418989] [e4105c00] [801424e0] __apply_to_page_range+0x164/0x310
[ 15.425451] [e4105c50] [80187834] kasan_release_vmalloc+0xbc/0x134
[ 15.431898] [e4105c70] [8015f7a8] __purge_vmap_area_lazy+0x4e4/0xdd8
[ 15.438560] [e4105d30] [80160d10] _vm_unmap_aliases.part.0+0x17c/0x24c
[ 15.445283] [e4105d60] [801642d0] __vunmap+0x2f0/0x5c8
[ 15.450684] [e4105db0] [800e32d0] do_free_init+0x68/0x94
[ 15.456181] [e4105dd0] [8005d094] process_one_work+0x4bc/0x7b8
[ 15.462283] [e4105e90] [8005d614] worker_thread+0x284/0x6e8
[ 15.468227] [e4105f00] [8006aaec] kthread+0x1f0/0x210
[ 15.473489] [e4105f40] [80017148] ret_from_kernel_thread+0x14/0x1c
Remove the read / modify / write sequence to make the operation atomic
and remove the spin_lock() in change_page_attr().
To do the operation atomically, we can't use pte modification helpers
anymore. Because all platforms have different combination of bits, it
is not easy to use those bits directly. But all have the
_PAGE_KERNEL_{RO/ROX/RW/RWX} set of flags. All we need it to compare
two sets to know which bits are set or cleared.
For instance, by comparing _PAGE_KERNEL_ROX and _PAGE_KERNEL_RO you
know which bit gets cleared and which bit get set when changing exec
permission.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a Linux kernel PowerPC bug that can deadlock the kernel during memory permission changes. A local, low-privileged attacker or triggering workload could cause high availability impact, but the sources do not show data theft or privilege escalation. Business urgency is patching affected PowerPC Linux systems, especially systems where downtime matters.
Executive priority
Treat this as a moderate availability risk for affected PowerPC Linux systems. It does not justify emergency action across all Linux assets, but uptime-sensitive PowerPC infrastructure should be identified and patched through the normal vulnerability process.
Technical view
The issue is spinlock recursion in powerpc change_page_attr() after set_memory() routines added locking and later concurrency handling changed to pte_update(). The fix removes the read/modify/write path and spin_lock(), making permission changes atomic using _PAGE_KERNEL_* flag comparisons. CVSS 3.1 is 5.5 with high availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to Linux systems using the affected PowerPC kernel code, particularly kernels in the affected ranges listed by CVE data and not carrying the referenced stable fixes. Non-PowerPC systems are not indicated by the provided sources.
Exploitation context
The CVE is not listed as KEV, and the provided sources do not cite active exploitation. The CVSS vector indicates local access with low privileges could trigger availability impact. Evidence supports denial of service risk, not remote compromise or data exposure.
Researcher notes
The public record describes a resolved kernel locking bug, not a public exploit. Affected scope should be validated against architecture, kernel lineage, and vendor backports. The duplicate commit-like version entries in the source data should not be treated as product versions without confirmation.
Mitigation direction
Identify PowerPC Linux systems and their exact kernel build or package version.
Apply vendor kernel updates that include the referenced stable fixes.
If patching is delayed, prioritize uptime-critical PowerPC hosts for maintenance windows.
Check Linux distribution advisories for backported fixes before assuming version numbers.
Monitor affected hosts for kernel spinlock recursion or availability symptoms.
Validation and detection
Confirm whether assets run Linux on PowerPC architecture.
Map installed kernels against CVE affected ranges and distribution advisories.
Verify kernel source or changelog includes one referenced stable commit.
Review crash logs for spinlock recursion involving change_page_attr().
Document patched, unaffected, and still-exposed systems separately.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Potential ATT&CK relevance
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Improper Locking
Improper Locking represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.