CVE-2023-52512 is a medium-severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel specifically affecting the pinctrl driver for the Nuvoton WPCM450 platform. The issue arises from an out-of-bounds write condition in the handling of GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) indices. In the vulnerable code, a write operation to the 'pctrl->gpio_bank' array occurs before the validity of the GPIO index is checked. This sequence allows an attacker with limited privileges (local access with low privileges) to trigger a write outside the bounds of the allocated memory for GPIO banks. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write), which can lead to memory corruption. The CVSS v3.1 score is 5.5 (medium), reflecting that the attack vector requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), and low privileges (PR:L), but no user interaction (UI:N) is needed. The impact is primarily on availability (A:H), with no direct confidentiality or integrity impact reported. Exploitation could cause system instability or crashes, potentially leading to denial of service. The vulnerability was discovered by the Linux Verification Center using static analysis tools (SVACE) and has been publicly disclosed and patched as of March 2024. No known exploits are currently in the wild. The affected versions correspond to specific Linux kernel commits prior to the fix. This vulnerability is relevant for systems running Linux kernels with the affected pinctrl driver on Nuvoton WPCM450 hardware platforms, which are typically embedded or specialized industrial devices.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2023-52512 is the potential for denial of service on Linux-based systems using the Nuvoton WPCM450 platform. This platform is often found in embedded systems, industrial control devices, or specialized hardware rather than general-purpose servers or desktops. Organizations in sectors such as manufacturing, critical infrastructure, telecommunications, or IoT deployments that utilize these embedded Linux systems could face operational disruptions if the vulnerability is exploited. While the vulnerability does not directly compromise confidentiality or integrity, the availability impact could interrupt essential services or industrial processes. Given the requirement for local access and low privileges, the threat actor would need some level of access to the affected device, which may limit remote exploitation but does not eliminate insider threats or lateral movement risks within a network. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the medium severity and potential for denial of service warrant timely patching to maintain operational continuity and security posture.

1. Apply the official Linux kernel patches that address CVE-2023-52512 as soon as they become available for your distribution or kernel version. 2. Identify and inventory all devices running Linux kernels with the Nuvoton WPCM450 pinctrl driver, focusing on embedded and industrial systems. 3. Restrict local access to affected devices by enforcing strict access controls, including role-based access and multi-factor authentication where possible. 4. Monitor logs and system behavior for signs of abnormal crashes or instability that could indicate attempted exploitation. 5. Implement network segmentation to isolate embedded devices from general IT networks, reducing the risk of lateral movement by attackers. 6. For organizations deploying custom or legacy Linux kernels, consider backporting the patch or upgrading to a kernel version that includes the fix. 7. Conduct security awareness training for personnel with physical or local access to critical embedded systems to prevent inadvertent exploitation. 8. Regularly review and update device firmware and kernel versions as part of a comprehensive vulnerability management program.