CVE-2024-35818: LoongArch: Define the __io_aw() hook as mmiowb()
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
LoongArch: Define the __io_aw() hook as mmiowb()
Commit fb24ea52f78e0d595852e ("drivers: Remove explicit invocations of
mmiowb()") remove all mmiowb() in drivers, but it says:
"NOTE: mmiowb() has only ever guaranteed ordering in conjunction with
spin_unlock(). However, pairing each mmiowb() removal in this patch with
the corresponding call to spin_unlock() is not at all trivial, so there
is a small chance that this change may regress any drivers incorrectly
relying on mmiowb() to order MMIO writes between CPUs using lock-free
synchronisation."
The mmio in radeon_ring_commit() is protected by a mutex rather than a
spinlock, but in the mutex fastpath it behaves similar to spinlock. We
can add mmiowb() calls in the radeon driver but the maintainer says he
doesn't like such a workaround, and radeon is not the only example of
mutex protected mmio.
So we should extend the mmiowb tracking system from spinlock to mutex,
and maybe other locking primitives. This is not easy and error prone, so
we solve it in the architectural code, by simply defining the __io_aw()
hook as mmiowb(). And we no longer need to override queued_spin_unlock()
so use the generic definition.
Without this, we get such an error when run 'glxgears' on weak ordering
architectures such as LoongArch:
radeon 0000:04:00.0: ring 0 stalled for more than 10324msec
radeon 0000:04:00.0: ring 3 stalled for more than 10240msec
radeon 0000:04:00.0: GPU lockup (current fence id 0x000000000001f412 last fence id 0x000000000001f414 on ring 3)
radeon 0000:04:00.0: GPU lockup (current fence id 0x000000000000f940 last fence id 0x000000000000f941 on ring 0)
radeon 0000:04:00.0: scheduling IB failed (-35).
[drm:radeon_gem_va_ioctl [radeon]] *ERROR* Couldn't update BO_VA (-35)
radeon 0000:04:00.0: scheduling IB failed (-35).
[drm:radeon_gem_va_ioctl [radeon]] *ERROR* Couldn't update BO_VA (-35)
radeon 0000:04:00.0: scheduling IB failed (-35).
[drm:radeon_gem_va_ioctl [radeon]] *ERROR* Couldn't update BO_VA (-35)
radeon 0000:04:00.0: scheduling IB failed (-35).
[drm:radeon_gem_va_ioctl [radeon]] *ERROR* Couldn't update BO_VA (-35)
radeon 0000:04:00.0: scheduling IB failed (-35).
[drm:radeon_gem_va_ioctl [radeon]] *ERROR* Couldn't update BO_VA (-35)
radeon 0000:04:00.0: scheduling IB failed (-35).
[drm:radeon_gem_va_ioctl [radeon]] *ERROR* Couldn't update BO_VA (-35)
radeon 0000:04:00.0: scheduling IB failed (-35).
[drm:radeon_gem_va_ioctl [radeon]] *ERROR* Couldn't update BO_VA (-35)
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Linux kernel issue affects LoongArch systems where hardware I/O writes may occur out of order. The cited failure mode is Radeon GPU lockups during normal graphics use, causing operational instability rather than a documented remote compromise path.
Executive priority
Treat as targeted operational risk for affected LoongArch Linux systems, not a broad internet-exposed emergency. Prioritize remediation where GPU stability or specialized hardware workloads matter.
Technical view
The fix defines the LoongArch __io_aw() hook as mmiowb() to preserve MMIO write ordering after earlier driver-level mmiowb() removals. The source specifically describes mutex-protected MMIO in radeon_ring_commit(), with possible relevance to other mutex-protected MMIO paths.
Likely exposure
Exposure appears limited to Linux on LoongArch or similarly weakly ordered MMIO contexts, especially systems using affected kernel versions and Radeon graphics. The source does not identify cloud, network, or userland attack surfaces.
Exploitation context
No active exploitation is cited, and KEV is false in the provided bundle. The public description shows a reliability failure observed by running glxgears, not a weaponized exploit scenario.
Researcher notes
The evidence is narrow: LoongArch architecture code, MMIO ordering, and Radeon symptoms. The source says Radeon is not the only possible mutex-protected MMIO example, but it does not enumerate additional affected drivers.
Mitigation direction
Check vendor kernel advisories for CVE-2024-35818 guidance.
Update to a kernel build containing the referenced stable commits.
Prioritize LoongArch hosts with Radeon or MMIO-heavy device drivers.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
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