CVE-2023-53043 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically affecting the arm64 architecture with Qualcomm sc7280 platform device tree source (DTS) configuration. The issue arises because the PCIe controller node in the device tree was not marked as cache coherent. In systems where the PCIe controller is not marked as cache coherent, the Linux kernel attempts to ensure data coherency during DMA (Direct Memory Access) operations by performing additional cache maintenance operations. However, since the PCIe devices on the bus are inherently cache coherent, this redundant cache maintenance can lead to data corruption. The root cause is a mismatch between the device tree configuration and the actual hardware behavior, causing the kernel to apply unnecessary and potentially harmful cache operations during DMA. The fix involves marking the PCIe controller node as dma-coherent in the device tree, aligning the kernel’s assumptions with the hardware’s cache coherency capabilities. This correction prevents the kernel from performing unnecessary cache maintenance, thereby avoiding data corruption during DMA operations. The vulnerability is subtle and hardware-specific, affecting systems using the Qualcomm sc7280 SoC on arm64 Linux kernels with the affected device tree configuration. There are no known exploits in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The vulnerability was reserved in mid-April 2025 and published in early May 2025, indicating it is a recent discovery and fix.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability depends largely on the deployment of affected hardware platforms using the Qualcomm sc7280 SoC running Linux on arm64 architecture. This SoC is typically found in embedded or specialized devices such as networking equipment, IoT gateways, or industrial control systems. If these devices are used in critical infrastructure, telecommunications, or industrial environments, data corruption caused by this vulnerability could lead to system instability, data loss, or malfunction of critical services. This could affect operational continuity and data integrity, especially in sectors relying on real-time data processing or high availability. However, the vulnerability does not directly allow remote code execution or privilege escalation, and no authentication bypass is involved. The absence of known exploits and the hardware-specific nature limit the scope of immediate risk. Nonetheless, organizations using affected devices should prioritize patching to prevent latent data corruption issues that could degrade system reliability or cause subtle operational failures.

Organizations should first identify whether their infrastructure includes devices running Linux on arm64 architecture with Qualcomm sc7280 SoC or similar hardware configurations. This can be done through hardware inventory and firmware/device tree inspection. Once identified, ensure that Linux kernel versions are updated to include the patch that marks the PCIe controller as dma-coherent in the device tree. Since this is a device tree configuration fix, updating to the latest stable Linux kernel or applying vendor-provided patches is essential. For embedded or specialized devices, coordinate with hardware vendors or device manufacturers to obtain updated firmware or kernel versions incorporating this fix. Additionally, conduct thorough testing after patching to verify that DMA operations and PCIe device communications function correctly without data corruption. Monitoring system logs and DMA-related errors can help detect residual issues. As a preventive measure, implement rigorous hardware and software validation processes for device tree configurations in custom embedded Linux builds to avoid similar misconfigurations. Finally, maintain a robust backup and data integrity verification strategy to mitigate potential data corruption impacts.