CVE-2025-38508: x86/sev: Use TSC_FACTOR for Secure TSC frequency calculation

Published Aug 16, 2025
·
Updated

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

x86/sev: Use TSCFACTOR for Secure TSC frequency calculation

When using Secure TSC, the GUESTTSCFREQ MSR reports a frequency based on the nominal P0 frequency, which deviates slightly (typically ~0.2%) from the actual mean TSC frequency due to clocking parameters.

Over extended VM uptime, this discrepancy accumulates, causing clock skew between the hypervisor and a SEV-SNP VM, leading to early timer interrupts as perceived by the guest.

The guest kernel relies on the reported nominal frequency for TSC-based timekeeping, while the actual frequency set during SNPLAUNCHSTART may differ. This mismatch results in inaccurate time calculations, causing the guest to perceive hrtimers as firing earlier than expected.

Utilize the TSCFACTOR from the SEV firmware's secrets page (see "Secrets Page Format" in the SNP Firmware ABI Specification) to calculate the mean TSC frequency, ensuring accurate timekeeping and mitigating clock skew in SEV-SNP VMs.

Use earlyioremapencrypted() to map the secrets page as ioremapencrypted() uses kmalloc() which is not available during early TSC initialization and causes a panic.

[ bp: Drop the silly dummy var: https://lore.kernel.org/r/20250630192726.GBaGLlHl84xIopx4Pt@fatcrate.local ]

Affected Software

6 affected components
Linux Linux kernel
Linux Linux kernel>=6.14<6.15.7
Linux Linux kernel=6.16-rc1
Linux Linux kernel=6.16-rc2
Linux Linux kernel=6.16-rc3
Linux Linux kernel=6.16-rc4

Event History

Aug 16, 2025
CVE Published
via MITRE·10:54 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·10:54 AM
DescriptionSeverity
Data Sourced
via NVD·11:15 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2025-38508?

CVE-2025-38508 is considered a medium severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel.

2

How do I fix CVE-2025-38508?

To fix CVE-2025-38508, it is recommended to update your Linux kernel to the latest stable version.

3

What are the potential impacts of CVE-2025-38508?

The potential impacts of CVE-2025-38508 include inaccurate timestamp values which can affect timekeeping for virtual machines.

4

Which versions of the Linux kernel are affected by CVE-2025-38508?

CVE-2025-38508 affects various versions of the Linux kernel prior to the implementation of the fix.

5

Is CVE-2025-38508 actively being exploited?

As of now, there is no public information indicating that CVE-2025-38508 is being actively exploited in the wild.

Contact

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