CVE-2024-53046 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically related to the ARM64 architecture device tree source (DTS) configuration for NXP i.MX8ULP and i.MX8MM processors. The issue arises from an incorrect compatible string for the FlexSPI (Flexible Serial Peripheral Interface) controller on the i.MX8ULP platform. The i.MX8ULP FlexSPI controller supports only 16 Look-Up Tables (LUTs), whereas the i.MX8MM FlexSPI supports 32 LUTs. The misconfiguration causes the Linux kernel to treat the i.MX8ULP FlexSPI as if it had 32 LUTs, leading to runtime errors during SPI operations. This manifests as a kernel warning and a stack trace originating from the nxp_fspi_exec_op function within the spi-nxp-fspi driver. The error occurs early in the boot process, as indicated by the PID 1 (init process) and the hardware name logged (NXP i.MX8ULP EVK). The root cause is a mismatch in the device tree compatible string, which leads to incorrect driver behavior and potential failure to properly initialize or operate the SPI flash memory controller. This can cause system instability or boot failures on affected devices. The vulnerability is not related to a memory corruption or privilege escalation but rather a misconfiguration that results in a kernel warning and potential denial of service due to driver malfunction. No known exploits are reported in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The fix involves correcting the compatible string in the device tree source to accurately reflect the hardware capabilities of the i.MX8ULP FlexSPI controller, preventing the driver from attempting unsupported operations.

For European organizations using embedded systems or devices based on the NXP i.MX8ULP platform running Linux kernels with the affected device tree configuration, this vulnerability could lead to system instability or failure to boot properly. This is particularly relevant for industries relying on embedded Linux in IoT devices, industrial control systems, automotive applications, or telecommunications infrastructure. The impact primarily affects availability, as the device may fail to initialize SPI flash memory correctly, potentially causing denial of service or requiring manual intervention to recover. Confidentiality and integrity impacts are minimal or nonexistent since the vulnerability does not enable privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution. However, operational disruptions in critical infrastructure or manufacturing environments could have significant downstream effects. Given the niche hardware involved, the scope is limited to devices using the affected i.MX8ULP FlexSPI configuration. European organizations deploying such hardware in production should be aware of potential boot or runtime failures and plan for firmware or kernel updates to mitigate this issue.

1. Update the Linux kernel to a version where the device tree source for the i.MX8ULP platform has the corrected FlexSPI compatible string, ensuring the driver correctly recognizes the hardware's LUT count. 2. For custom or embedded Linux distributions, verify and patch the device tree source files to match the hardware specifications before kernel compilation. 3. Test updated kernels and device trees in staging environments to confirm that the SPI flash controller initializes correctly without warnings or errors. 4. Implement monitoring for kernel warnings related to SPI flash operations to detect early signs of this issue in deployed systems. 5. Coordinate with hardware vendors and embedded system integrators to ensure firmware and kernel updates are distributed and applied promptly. 6. For critical systems, consider fallback mechanisms or recovery procedures in case of boot failures caused by this vulnerability. 7. Avoid running unpatched kernels on affected hardware in production environments to minimize risk of denial of service.