Time-of-check time-of-use (TOCTOU) vulnerability combined with missing input validation in Caliptra Core ROM (UpdateResetFlow::run()) in subsystem mode allows a compromised local attacker to silently bypass secure boot by supplying an AXI staging address that is not validated against the strap-configured SS_EXTERNAL_STAGING_AREA_BASE_ADDR, enabling firmware to be modified between verification and loading into ICCM. Attestation continues to report the originally verified image digest, masking the compromise. Exploitation requires a compromised MCU firmware with AXI manager access to unprotected SRAM reachable by Caliptra.
This issue affects Core ROM: 2.1.0 through 2.1.1.
This issue affects Core ROM: 2.1.0 through 2.1.1.
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History
Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:15:00 +0000
| Type | Values Removed | Values Added |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Time-of-check time-of-use (TOCTOU) vulnerability combined with missing input validation in Caliptra Core ROM (UpdateResetFlow::run()) in subsystem mode allows a compromised local attacker to silently bypass secure boot by supplying an AXI staging address that is not validated against the strap-configured SS_EXTERNAL_STAGING_AREA_BASE_ADDR, enabling firmware to be modified between verification and loading into ICCM. Attestation continues to report the originally verified image digest, masking the compromise. Exploitation requires a compromised MCU firmware with AXI manager access to unprotected SRAM reachable by Caliptra. This issue affects Core ROM: 2.1.0 through 2.1.1. | |
| Title | Caliptra Update-Reset Secure-Boot Bypass via Attacker-Chosen AXI Staging Address (TOCTOU) | |
| Weaknesses | CWE-20 CWE-367 |
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| Metrics |
cvssV4_0
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Status: PUBLISHED
Assigner: Caliptra
Published:
Updated: 2026-08-04T00:05:12.892Z
Reserved: 2026-06-09T23:30:36.611Z
Link: CVE-2026-11835
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