CVE-2022-50227: KVM: x86/xen: Initialize Xen timer only once

Published Jun 18, 2025
·
Updated

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

KVM: x86/xen: Initialize Xen timer only once

Add a check for existing xen timers before initializing a new one.

Currently kvmxeninittimer() is called on every KVMXENVCPUATTRTYPETIMER, which is causing the following ODEBUG crash when vcpu->arch.xen.timer is already set.

ODEBUG: init active (active state 0) object type: hrtimer hint: xentimercallbac0 RIP: 0010:debugprintobject+0x16e/0x250 lib/debugobjects.c:502 Call Trace: debugobjectinit debughrtimerinit debuginit hrtimerinit kvmxeninittimer kvmxenvcpusetattr kvmarchvcpuioctl kvmvcpuioctl vfsioctl

Affected Software

2 affected components
Linux Linux kernel
Linux Linux kernel>=5.19<5.19.2

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Configuration

    Before calling kvm_xen_init_timer() (from kvm_xen_vcpu_set_attr for KVM_XEN_VCPU_ATTR_TYPE_TIMER), add a check whether vcpu->arch.xen.timer is already set; if it is set, do not initialize a new timer (prevent crash from calling hrtimer init again when vcpu->arch.xen.timer is already present).

    Linux kernel KVM x86 Xen timer initialization Initialize Xen timer only once for KVM_XEN_VCPU_ATTR_TYPE_TIMER = enabled

Event History

Jun 18, 2025
CVE Published
via MITRE·11:03 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·11:03 AM
DescriptionSeverity
Data Sourced
via NVD·11:15 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2022-50227?

CVE-2022-50227 has been classified as a medium severity vulnerability.

2

How do I fix CVE-2022-50227?

To fix CVE-2022-50227, update your Linux kernel to the latest stable version that includes the patch.

3

What type of vulnerabilities does CVE-2022-50227 address?

CVE-2022-50227 addresses a timing initialization issue in the KVM component of the Linux kernel.

4

Is CVE-2022-50227 exploitable remotely?

CVE-2022-50227 is not known to be remotely exploitable and typically requires local access to the system.

5

What does the fix for CVE-2022-50227 entail?

The fix for CVE-2022-50227 involves adding a check for existing Xen timers before initializing a new one.

Contact

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