CVE-2024-35996: cpu: Re-enable CPU mitigations by default for !X86 architectures
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
cpu: Re-enable CPU mitigations by default for !X86 architectures
Rename x86's to CPUMITIGATIONS, define it in generic code, and force it on for all architectures exception x86. A recent commit to turn mitigations off by default if SPECULATIONMITIGATIONS=n kinda sorta missed that "cpumitigations" is completely generic, whereas SPECULATIONMITIGATIONS is x86-specific.
Rename x86's SPECULATIVEMITIGATIONS instead of keeping both and have it select CPUMITIGATIONS, as having two configs for the same thing is unnecessary and confusing. This will also allow x86 to use the knob to manage mitigations that aren't strictly related to speculative execution.
Use another Kconfig to communicate to common code that CPUMITIGATIONS is already defined instead of having x86's menu depend on the common CPUMITIGATIONS. This allows keeping a single point of contact for all of x86's mitigations, and it's not clear that other architectures want to allow disabling mitigations at compile-time.
Affected Software
Remediation
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2024-35996?
CVE-2024-35996 is classified as a moderate severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2024-35996?
To fix CVE-2024-35996, ensure that your Linux system is updated to the latest version by installing the patched kernel versions listed in the advisory.
Which Linux kernel versions are affected by CVE-2024-35996?
CVE-2024-35996 affects various Linux kernel versions, including those prior to 5.10.223, 5.10.226, 6.1.123, 6.1.128, 6.12.12, and 6.12.13.
What are CPU mitigations in relation to CVE-2024-35996?
CPU mitigations are security features that reduce the risk of potential attacks on CPU vulnerabilities, and this CVE addresses their re-enablement by default for non-x86 architectures.
Who is impacted by CVE-2024-35996?
Users and administrators running the affected Linux kernel versions on non-x86 architectures are impacted by CVE-2024-35996.