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Mallory
MediumPublic exploit

Spectre Variant 2 Branch Target Injection

IdentifiersCVE-2017-5715CWE-1037Also known asspectre_variant_2

CVE-2017-5715 is Spectre Variant 2, also known as Branch Target Injection. It is a speculative-execution side-channel vulnerability in modern microprocessors affecting multiple vendors, including Intel, ARM, and AMD. The issue arises from indirect branch prediction behavior: an attacker can poison branch prediction structures such as the Branch Target Buffer (BTB) so that a victim context speculatively executes instructions at an attacker-influenced target after an indirect branch. Although the mis-speculated path is not architecturally committed, it can leave observable microarchitectural side effects, especially cache state changes, that can be measured through side-channel techniques to infer sensitive data. The weakness is fundamentally hardware-related and aligns with processor optimization altering security-critical behavior during execution. Reported contexts include leakage across protection domains such as user-to-kernel, process-to-process, guest-to-host, and guest-to-guest boundaries in virtualized environments.

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

What it means. What to do now. Patch path, mitigations, and the assume-compromise checklist.

Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

Successful exploitation can disclose sensitive information that should be isolated by normal privilege boundaries. Depending on the victim context and available gadgets, attackers may infer kernel memory, memory from other processes, or data belonging to other virtual machines or the host in shared environments. The vulnerability primarily results in unauthorized information disclosure rather than direct architectural code execution or privilege escalation, but the leaked data can include credentials, cryptographic material, cookies, and other secrets. Cloud and multi-tenant virtualization environments are particularly exposed because branch prediction state can be abused across security domains on the same physical core or host.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

Where full remediation is not yet available, reduce exploitability by limiting execution of untrusted local code and applying available software mitigations. Use Retpoline-enabled kernels, hypervisors, and userland binaries where supported; deploy vendor microcode enabling controls such as IBRS or equivalent branch prediction mitigations; update browsers that reduce timing precision or harden JavaScript execution; and ensure cloud/hypervisor protections are enabled. In virtualized environments, patch both hosts and guests, and consider stronger isolation measures such as migrating from PV to HVM where recommended by vendors. Restricting untrusted JavaScript and other attacker-controlled code paths can further reduce exposure.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Apply vendor-provided mitigations at both hardware/firmware and software levels. For Variant 2, remediation commonly requires CPU microcode or firmware updates that expose new speculation-control mechanisms, together with operating system, hypervisor, compiler, and application updates that use those controls. Software-side mitigations documented in the content include Retpoline recompilation for affected binaries and platform-specific use of new CPU instructions or firmware services to restrict risky indirect branch speculation. Administrators should also apply relevant browser updates, hypervisor patches, and guest OS updates, and reboot systems where required after firmware or kernel changes.
PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

4 valid exploits after Mallory filtered fakes, detection scripts, and README-only repos (6 hidden).

VALID 4 / 10 TOTALView more in app
CiscoSpectreTakeoverMaturityPoCVerified exploit

This repository is a proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit chain targeting Cisco routers vulnerable to CVE-2017-6736 (SNMP RCE) and chaining it with a Spectre (CVE-2017-5753, CVE-2017-5715) browser attack. The structure includes a batch script (readyGo.bat) that automates the exploitation process: it runs a Python-based SNMP RCE exploit (from a submodule), then uses Plink to send configuration commands (from ciscoCommands.txt) to the router, setting a new default route to 195.20.52.49 (an attacker-controlled host). The attacker then serves a fake login page (index.html) that loads JavaScript from the spectre-chrome submodule, attempting a Spectre attack in the browser context. The repository is organized with submodules for the main exploit components, a batch script for automation, and HTML/JS files for the phishing/Spectre phase. The exploit requires access to a vulnerable Cisco router and aims to redirect user traffic through a malicious gateway, where further browser-based exploitation can occur.

plyrthnDisclosed Feb 11, 2026batchhtmlnetworkbrowser
spectreScopeMaturityPoCVerified exploit

This repository is a proof-of-concept (PoC) implementation of the Spectre speculative execution attack (CVE-2017-5753, CVE-2017-5715). The main code is in 'src/main.cpp', which demonstrates how an attacker can use branch prediction and cache timing side-channels to read memory contents that should be inaccessible, specifically leaking a hardcoded secret string. The exploit is local and requires the attacker to run code on the target machine. The repository includes build scripts for various platforms (macOS, Linux, Solaris, Windows), but the exploit is only tested on macOS, Linux, and Solaris. The attack does not target a network service or remote endpoint, but rather exploits CPU hardware vulnerabilities. The structure is typical for a C++ project, with CMake build files, shell scripts for building and running, and a single main source file containing the exploit logic. The exploit is not weaponized and serves as a demonstration of the vulnerability.

ixtal23Disclosed Jan 6, 2018cppbashlocal
spectre-attack-exampleMaturityPoCVerified exploit

This repository contains a proof-of-concept (POC) exploit for the Spectre vulnerability (CVE-2017-5753 and CVE-2017-5715), affecting many Intel CPUs. The repository consists of a README.md (with background and references) and a single C source file (source.c) implementing the attack. The exploit demonstrates how speculative execution and cache timing can be abused to leak memory contents from the same process. The code places a secret string in memory and uses a combination of branch misprediction and cache probing to read the secret, printing the results to standard output. There are no network or remote attack vectors; the exploit is purely local and requires the attacker to execute code on the target system. The code is a classic educational POC and does not weaponize the attack for real-world exploitation, but it clearly demonstrates the underlying vulnerability.

00052Disclosed Jan 5, 2018clocal
spectre-attackMaturityPoCVerified exploit

This repository is a proof-of-concept implementation of the Spectre attack (CVE-2017-5753 and CVE-2017-5715) in C. The main code is in 'Source.c', which demonstrates how speculative execution and cache timing side-channels can be exploited to leak memory contents from protected areas. The exploit works by training the branch predictor to mispredict, then performing an out-of-bounds read in speculative execution, and finally using cache timing to infer the value of the secret data. The README provides detailed background, build instructions, and usage examples. The exploit is run locally and does not target network endpoints; it is designed to demonstrate the vulnerability on affected CPUs. The repository contains standard build files (.gitignore, Makefile), documentation (README.md), and the exploit code (Source.c).

EugnisDisclosed Jan 4, 2018clocal
EXPOSURE SURFACE

Affected products & vendors

Products and vendors Mallory has correlated with this vulnerability. Open in Mallory to drill down to specific CPE configurations and version ranges.

VendorProductType
Amazon Web ServicesEcs Optimized Amioperating_system
Amazon Web ServicesLinux Amioperating_system
Amazon Web ServicesWindows Server Amioperating_system
AnyCpuhardware
ArmCortex-Ahardware
CanonicalUbuntu Linuxapplication
DebianDebian Linuxoperating_system
IntelAtom Chardware
IntelAtom Ehardware
IntelAtom X3hardware
IntelAtom X5-E3930hardware
IntelAtom X5-E3940hardware
IntelAtom X7-E3950hardware
IntelAtom Zhardware
IntelCeleron Jhardware
IntelCeleron Nhardware
IntelCore I3hardware
IntelCore I5hardware
IntelCore I7hardware
IntelCore Mhardware
IntelCore M3hardware
IntelCore M5hardware
IntelCore M7hardware
IntelPentium Jhardware
IntelPentium Nhardware
IntelXeonhardware
IntelXeon Bronze 3104hardware
IntelXeon Bronze 3106hardware
IntelXeon E-1105chardware
IntelXeon E3hardware
IntelXeon E3 1105c V2hardware
IntelXeon E3 1220hardware
IntelXeon E3 1220 V2hardware
IntelXeon E3 1220 V5hardware
IntelXeon E3 12201hardware
IntelXeon E3 12201 V2hardware
IntelXeon E3 1220l V3hardware
IntelXeon E3 1225hardware
IntelXeon E3 1225 V2hardware
IntelXeon E3 1230hardware
IntelXeon E3 1230 V6hardware
IntelXeon E3 1230l V3hardware
IntelXeon E3 1235hardware
IntelXeon E3 1235l V5application
IntelXeon E3 1240 V2hardware
IntelXeon E3 1240 V3hardware
IntelXeon E3 1241 V3hardware
IntelXeon E3 1245hardware
IntelXeon E3 1245 V2hardware
IntelXeon E3 1246 V3hardware
IntelXeon E3 1260lhardware
IntelXeon E3 1265l V2hardware
IntelXeon E3 1268l V3hardware
IntelXeon E3 1270 V2hardware
IntelXeon E3 1270 V3hardware
IntelXeon E3 1271 V3hardware
IntelXeon E3 1275hardware
IntelXeon E3 1275 V2hardware
IntelXeon E3 1275 V3hardware
IntelXeon E3 1276 V3hardware
IntelXeon E3 1278l V4hardware
IntelXeon E3 1280 V5hardware
IntelXeon E3 1286 V3hardware
IntelXeon E3 1286l V3hardware
IntelXeon E3 1501m V6application
IntelXeon E3-1125chardware
IntelXeon E3-1125c V2hardware
IntelXeon E3-1220 V3hardware
IntelXeon E3-1220 V6hardware
IntelXeon E3-1225 V3hardware
IntelXeon E3-1225 V5hardware
IntelXeon E3-1225 V6application
IntelXeon E3-1226 V3hardware
IntelXeon E3-1230 V2hardware
IntelXeon E3-1230 V3hardware
IntelXeon E3-1230 V5application
IntelXeon E3-1231 V3hardware
IntelXeon E3-1240hardware
IntelXeon E3-1240 V5application
IntelXeon E3-1240 V6hardware
IntelXeon E3-1240l V3hardware
IntelXeon E3-1240l V5hardware
IntelXeon E3-1245 V3hardware
IntelXeon E3-1245 V5application
IntelXeon E3-1245 V6application
IntelXeon E3-1258l V4hardware
IntelXeon E3-1260l V5hardware
IntelXeon E3-1265l V3hardware
IntelXeon E3-1265l V4hardware
IntelXeon E3-1268l V5application
IntelXeon E3-1270hardware
IntelXeon E3-1270 V5hardware
IntelXeon E3-1270 V6application
IntelXeon E3-1275 V5hardware
IntelXeon E3-1275 V6hardware
IntelXeon E3-1275l V3hardware
IntelXeon E3-1280hardware
IntelXeon E3-1280 V2hardware
IntelXeon E3-1280 V3hardware
IntelXeon E3-1280 V6hardware
IntelXeon E3-1281 V3hardware
IntelXeon E3-1285 V3hardware
IntelXeon E3-1285 V4hardware
IntelXeon E3-1285 V6hardware
IntelXeon E3-1285l V3hardware
IntelXeon E3-1285l V4hardware
IntelXeon E3-1290hardware
IntelXeon E3-1290 V2hardware
IntelXeon E3-1501l V6hardware
IntelXeon E3-1505l V5hardware
IntelXeon E3-1505l V6hardware
IntelXeon E3-1505m V5application
IntelXeon E5hardware
IntelXeon E5 1428lhardware
IntelXeon E5 1428l V2hardware
IntelXeon E5 1620hardware
IntelXeon E5 1620 V3hardware
IntelXeon E5 1620 V4hardware
IntelXeon E5 1650hardware
IntelXeon E5 1650 V4hardware
IntelXeon E5 1660hardware
IntelXeon E5 1660 V2hardware
IntelXeon E5 1660 V4hardware
IntelXeon E5 2403hardware
IntelXeon E5 2407hardware
IntelXeon E5 2407 V2hardware
IntelXeon E5 2408l V3hardware
IntelXeon E5 2418l V2hardware
IntelXeon E5 2420hardware
IntelXeon E5 2428lhardware
IntelXeon E5 2430 V2hardware
IntelXeon E5 2438l V3hardware
IntelXeon E5 2450lhardware
IntelXeon E5 2470hardware
IntelXeon E5 2470 V2hardware
IntelXeon E5 2609hardware
IntelXeon E5 2609 V2hardware
IntelXeon E5 2618l V3hardware
IntelXeon E5 2618l V4hardware
IntelXeon E5 2620 V3hardware
IntelXeon E5 2623 V3hardware
IntelXeon E5 2623 V4hardware
IntelXeon E5 2628l V2hardware
IntelXeon E5 2628l V3hardware
IntelXeon E5 2628l V4hardware
IntelXeon E5 2630 V2hardware
IntelXeon E5 2630 V4hardware
IntelXeon E5 2630lhardware
IntelXeon E5 2637hardware
IntelXeon E5 2637 V3hardware
IntelXeon E5 2637 V4hardware
IntelXeon E5 2640hardware
IntelXeon E5 2640 V2hardware
IntelXeon E5 2643hardware
IntelXeon E5 2643 V4hardware
IntelXeon E5 2648lhardware
IntelXeon E5 2648l V2hardware
IntelXeon E5 2648l V3hardware
IntelXeon E5 2650hardware
IntelXeon E5 2650 V2hardware
IntelXeon E5 2650 V3hardware
IntelXeon E5 2650lhardware
IntelXeon E5-1428l V3hardware
IntelXeon E5-1620 V2hardware
IntelXeon E5-1630 V3hardware
IntelXeon E5-1630 V4hardware
IntelXeon E5-1650 V2hardware
IntelXeon E5-1650 V3hardware
IntelXeon E5-1660 V3hardware
IntelXeon E5-1680 V3hardware
IntelXeon E5-1680 V4hardware
IntelXeon E5-2403 V2hardware
IntelXeon E5-2418lhardware
IntelXeon E5-2418l V3hardware
IntelXeon E5-2420 V2hardware
IntelXeon E5-2428l V2hardware
IntelXeon E5-2428l V3hardware
IntelXeon E5-2430hardware
IntelXeon E5-2430lhardware
IntelXeon E5-2430l V2hardware
IntelXeon E5-2440hardware
IntelXeon E5-2440 V2hardware
IntelXeon E5-2448lhardware
IntelXeon E5-2448l V2hardware
IntelXeon E5-2450hardware
IntelXeon E5-2450 V2hardware
IntelXeon E5-2450l V2hardware
IntelXeon E5-2603hardware
IntelXeon E5-2603 V2hardware
IntelXeon E5-2603 V3hardware
IntelXeon E5-2603 V4hardware
IntelXeon E5-2608l V3hardware
IntelXeon E5-2608l V4hardware
IntelXeon E5-2609 V3hardware
IntelXeon E5-2609 V4hardware
IntelXeon E5-2618l V2hardware
IntelXeon E5-2620hardware
IntelXeon E5-2620 V2hardware
IntelXeon E5-2620 V4hardware
IntelXeon E5-2630hardware
IntelXeon E5-2630 V3hardware
IntelXeon E5-2630l V2hardware
IntelXeon E5-2630l V3hardware
IntelXeon E5-2630l V4hardware
IntelXeon E5-2637 V2hardware
IntelXeon E5-2640 V3hardware
IntelXeon E5-2640 V4hardware
IntelXeon E5-2643 V2hardware
IntelXeon E5-2643 V3hardware
IntelXeon E5-2648l V4hardware
IntelXeon E5-2650 V4hardware
IntelXeon E5-2650l V2hardware
IntelXeon E5-2650l V3hardware
IntelXeon E7hardware
IntelXeon Goldhardware
IntelXeon Phihardware
IntelXeon Platinumhardware
IntelXeon Silverhardware
NetAppHci Compute Nodeoperating_system
NetAppHci Management Nodeapplication
NetAppSolidfireapplication
OracleCommunications Diameter Signaling Routerapplication
OracleVm Virtualboxapplication
SiemensSimatic Winac Rtx (F) Firmwareoperating_system

Vendor-confirmed product mapping. Mallory continuously reconciles this list against your asset inventory.

What this page doesn’t show

The version that knows your environment.

This page is what’s public. Mallory adds the parts that aren’t: which of your assets are affected, which adversaries are exploiting it right now, which detections to deploy, and what to do tonight.
Exposure mapping

Query your assets running an affected version, and investigate the blast radius.

Threat actor evidence

Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.

Associated malware

Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.

Detection signatures

YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.

Vendor-by-vendor mapping

Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.

Social activity1

Community discussion across Reddit, Mastodon, and other social sources.