CVE-2025-23141: KVM: x86: Acquire SRCU in KVM_GET_MP_STATE to protect guest memory accesses

Published May 1, 2025
·
Updated

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

KVM: x86: Acquire SRCU in KVMGETMPSTATE to protect guest memory accesses

Acquire a lock on kvm->srcu when userspace is getting MP state to handle a rather extreme edge case where "accepting" APIC events, i.e. processing pending INIT or SIPI, can trigger accesses to guest memory. If the vCPU is in L2 with INIT and a TRIPLEFAULT request pending, then getting MP state will trigger a nested VM-Exit by way of ->checknestedevents(), and emuating the nested VM-Exit can access guest memory.

The splat was originally hit by syzkaller on a Google-internal kernel, and reproduced on an upstream kernel by hacking the triplefaulteventtest selftest to stuff a pending INIT, store an MSR on VM-Exit (to generate a memory access on VMX), and do vcpumpstateget() to trigger the scenario.

============================= WARNING: suspicious RCU usage 6.14.0-rc3-b112d356288b-vmx/pilockdepfalsepos-lock #3 Not tainted ----------------------------- include/linux/kvmhost.h:1058 suspicious rcudereferencecheck() usage!

other info that might help us debug this:

rcuscheduleractive = 2, debuglocks = 1 1 lock held by triplefaultev/1256: #0: ffff88810df5a330 (&vcpu->mutex){+.+.}-{4:4}, at: kvmvcpuioctl+0x8b/0x9a0 [kvm]

stack backtrace: CPU: 11 UID: 1000 PID: 1256 Comm: triplefaultev Not tainted 6.14.0-rc3-b112d356288b-vmx #3 Hardware name: QEMU Standard PC (Q35 + ICH9, 2009), BIOS 0.0.0 02/06/2015 Call Trace: <TASK> dumpstacklvl+0x7f/0x90 lockdeprcususpicious+0x144/0x190 kvmvcpugfntomemslot+0x156/0x180 [kvm] kvmvcpureadguest+0x3e/0x90 [kvm] readandcheckmsrentry+0x2e/0x180 [kvmintel] nestedvmxvmexit+0x550/0xde0 [kvmintel] kvmchecknestedevents+0x1b/0x30 [kvm] kvmapicacceptevents+0x33/0x100 [kvm] kvmarchvcpuioctlgetmpstate+0x30/0x1d0 [kvm] kvmvcpuioctl+0x33e/0x9a0 [kvm] x64sysioctl+0x8b/0xb0 dosyscall64+0x6c/0x170 entrySYSCALL64afterhwframe+0x4b/0x53 </TASK>

Affected Software

11 affected componentsFixes available
Linux Linux kernel
Microsoft cbl2 kernel 5.15.186.1-1
Linux Linux kernel<6.1.135
Linux Linux kernel>=6.2<6.6.88
Linux Linux kernel>=6.7<6.12.24
Linux Linux kernel>=6.13<6.13.12
Linux Linux kernel>=6.14<6.14.3
Linux Linux kernel=6.15-rc1
Debian Debian Linux=11.0
Microsoft azl3 kernel 6.6.92.2-1<6.6.92.2-1
6.6.92.2-1
Microsoft azl3 kernel 6.6.85.1-4<6.6.92.2-1
6.6.92.2-1

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.6.92.2-1

Event History

May 1, 2025
CVE Published
via MITRE·12:55 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·12:55 PM
DescriptionSeverity
Data Sourced
via NVD·01:15 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Jul 11, 2025
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·12:00 AM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Updated
via Microsoft·07:00 AM
SeverityAffected Software
Updated
via Microsoft·07:00 AM
DescriptionSeverity

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2025-23141?

The severity of CVE-2025-23141 is currently under assessment, but it involves a critical issue in the Linux kernel that could affect system stability.

2

How do I fix CVE-2025-23141?

To mitigate CVE-2025-23141, update to the latest stable version of the Linux kernel where the vulnerability has been patched.

3

Which versions of the Linux kernel are affected by CVE-2025-23141?

CVE-2025-23141 affects multiple versions of the Linux kernel, specifically those prior to 6.1.135, and those between 6.2 and 6.6.88, 6.7 and 6.12.24, 6.13 and 6.13.12, and 6.14 and 6.14.3.

4

What are the potential impacts of CVE-2025-23141?

The potential impacts of CVE-2025-23141 include memory access issues that could lead to guest memory corruption in KVM environments.

5

Who should be concerned about CVE-2025-23141?

Administrators running vulnerable versions of the Linux kernel in KVM environments should be particularly concerned about CVE-2025-23141.

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203