EL3 code execution via mismatched loader headers
Published Aug 19, 2026 · Updated Aug 19, 2026
A TOCTOU flaw in Rockchip RK3588S Secure BootROM 350B20210512V100 allows physically proximate attackers to execute code at EL3. BootROM reads the next-stage loader header twice, verifies the signature from the complete second read, but checks module hashes from the partial first read. Physical access and altered SPI NOR, NAND, eMMC, or SD data are required to swap headers between reads, bypass module authenticity, and run attacker-controlled code at the highest privilege level.
Summary
What happened
A TOCTOU flaw in Rockchip RK3588S Secure BootROM 350B20210512V100 allows physically proximate attackers to execute code at EL3. BootROM reads the next-stage loader header twice, verifies the signature from the complete second read, but checks module hashes from the partial first read. Physical access and altered SPI NOR, NAND, eMMC, or SD data are required to swap headers between reads, bypass module authenticity, and run attacker-controlled code at the highest privilege level.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2024-13942
- Published
- Aug 19, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 19, 2026
- Vendor
- Rockchip Electronics Co., Ltd.
- Product
- RK3588S
- Classifications
- CWE-367, T1542.003
- Attack vector
- physical
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 19, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 19, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
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- Affected versionversion=350B20210512V100
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What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
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Your stack
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