CVE-2023-54232: m68k: Only force 030 bus error if PC not in exception table
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
m68k: Only force 030 bus error if PC not in exception table
__get_kernel_nofault() does copy data in supervisor mode when
forcing a task backtrace log through /proc/sysrq_trigger.
This is expected cause a bus error exception on e.g. NULL
pointer dereferencing when logging a kernel task has no
workqueue associated. This bus error ought to be ignored.
Our 030 bus error handler is ill equipped to deal with this:
Whenever ssw indicates a kernel mode access on a data fault,
we don't even attempt to handle the fault and instead always
send a SEGV signal (or panic). As a result, the check
for exception handling at the fault PC (buried in
send_sig_fault() which gets called from do_page_fault()
eventually) is never used.
In contrast, both 040 and 060 access error handlers do not
care whether a fault happened on supervisor mode access,
and will call do_page_fault() on those, ultimately honoring
the exception table.
Add a check in bus_error030 to call do_page_fault() in case
we do have an entry for the fault PC in our exception table.
I had attempted a fix for this earlier in 2019 that did rely
on testing pagefault_disabled() (see link below) to achieve
the same thing, but this patch should be more generic.
Tested on 030 Atari Falcon.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a Linux kernel flaw affecting the m68k architecture, specifically 68030 bus error handling. Under certain kernel backtrace logging conditions, an expected fault may be mishandled and can result in a process signal or kernel panic. Business exposure is likely narrow because m68k systems are uncommon in modern enterprise fleets.
Executive priority
Treat as a targeted availability issue, not a broad enterprise emergency. Escalate if the organization operates legacy m68k Linux systems, embedded environments, or m68k test infrastructure. Otherwise, track through normal kernel maintenance.
Technical view
The 030 bus error handler skipped normal page fault handling for supervisor-mode data faults, so exception-table recovery was not honored. The fix makes bus_error030 call do_page_fault() when the fault PC has an exception-table entry. The source notes this was tested on an 030 Atari Falcon.
Likely exposure
Likely limited to Linux systems running on m68k, especially 68030-class hardware or emulation. The provided record lists Linux versions as affected but does not provide a CVSS score or broad product-specific impact details.
Exploitation context
No active exploitation is indicated in the provided sources, and the CVE is not marked KEV. The described trigger involves kernel task backtrace logging through /proc/sysrq_trigger, but the sources do not establish practical attacker prerequisites or exploitability.
Researcher notes
The public record lacks CVSS, CWE, and detailed attack prerequisites. Impact appears architecture-specific and tied to exception-table handling during supervisor-mode faults. The stable commit references are the main remediation evidence.
Mitigation direction
Identify whether any Linux m68k systems exist in the environment.
Prioritize 68030-class m68k systems or emulators for review.
Update to a kernel version containing the referenced stable fixes.
If using a vendor kernel, check vendor advisories for backported fixes.
Restrict administrative access to sysrq-related kernel debugging interfaces.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux systems by architecture and kernel version.
Confirm whether m68k kernels are deployed or built internally.
Check kernel changelogs for the referenced m68k bus_error030 fix.
Verify vendor kernel packages include the relevant stable commit.
Review crash logs for unexplained m68k kernel panics during backtrace logging.
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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3Timeline events
0ADP providers
9Source links
Vulnerability timeline
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CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
Dec 30, 2025, 12:11 UTC (UTC+00:00)
CVE updatedCVE Program
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