CVE-2025-40038: KVM: SVM: Skip fastpath emulation on VM-Exit if next RIP isn't valid

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2025-40038?

CVE-2025-40038 has a moderate severity rating due to its potential impact on KVM's VM-Exit handling.

Q: How do I fix CVE-2025-40038?

To fix CVE-2025-40038, update your Linux kernel to the latest stable version that has addressed this vulnerability.

Q: What software is affected by CVE-2025-40038?

CVE-2025-40038 affects the Linux kernel, specifically the KVM SVM component.

Q: What type of vulnerability is CVE-2025-40038?

CVE-2025-40038 is a flaw related to VM-Exit handling in the KVM SVM module of the Linux kernel.

Q: Can CVE-2025-40038 lead to exploitation?

Yes, CVE-2025-40038 can potentially be exploited if an attacker manipulates the next RIP during VM-Exit handling.

Published Oct 28, 2025

Updated

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

KVM: SVM: Skip fastpath emulation on VM-Exit if next RIP isn't valid

Skip the WRMSR and HLT fastpaths in SVM's VM-Exit handler if the next RIP isn't valid, e.g. because KVM is running with nrips=false. SVM must decode and emulate to skip the instruction if the CPU doesn't provide the next RIP, and getting the instruction bytes to decode requires reading guest memory. Reading guest memory through the emulator can fault, i.e. can sleep, which is disallowed since the fastpath handlers run with IRQs disabled.

BUG: sleeping function called from invalid context at ./include/linux/uaccess.h:106 inatomic(): 1, irqsdisabled(): 1, nonblock: 0, pid: 32611, name: qemu preemptcount: 1, expected: 0 INFO: lockdep is turned off. irq event stamp: 30580 hardirqs last enabled at (30579): [<ffffffffc08b2527>] vcpurun+0x1787/0x1db0 [kvm] hardirqs last disabled at (30580): [<ffffffffb4f62e32>] schedule+0x1e2/0xed0 softirqs last enabled at (30570): [<ffffffffb4247a64>] fpuswapkvmfpstate+0x44/0x210 softirqs last disabled at (30568): [<ffffffffb4247a64>] fpuswapkvmfpstate+0x44/0x210 CPU: 298 UID: 0 PID: 32611 Comm: qemu Tainted: G U 6.16.0-smp--e6c618b51cfe-sleep #782 NONE Tainted: [U]=USER Hardware name: Google Astoria-Turin/astoria, BIOS 0.20241223.2-0 01/17/2025 Call Trace: <TASK> dumpstacklvl+0x7d/0xb0 mightresched+0x271/0x290 mightfault+0x28/0x80 kvmvcpureadguestpage+0x8d/0xc0 [kvm] kvmfetchguestvirt+0x92/0xc0 [kvm] doinsnfetchbytes+0xf3/0x1e0 [kvm] x86decodeinsn+0xd1/0x1010 [kvm] x86emulateinstruction+0x105/0x810 [kvm] svmskipemulatedinstruction+0xc4/0x140 [kvmamd] handlefastpathinvd+0xc4/0x1a0 [kvm] vcpurun+0x11a1/0x1db0 [kvm] kvmarchvcpuioctlrun+0x5cc/0x730 [kvm] kvmvcpuioctl+0x578/0x6a0 [kvm] sesysioctl+0x6d/0xb0 dosyscall64+0x8a/0x2c0 entrySYSCALL64afterhwframe+0x4b/0x53 RIP: 0033:0x7f479d57a94b </TASK>

Note, this is essentially a reapply of commit 5c30e8101e8d ("KVM: SVM: Skip WRMSR fastpath on VM-Exit if next RIP isn't valid"), but with different justification (KVM now grabs SRCU when skipping the instruction for other reasons).

Affected Software

149 affected componentsFixes available

Linux Linux kernel

Microsoft azl3 kernel 6.6.104.2-4

ubuntu/linux-hwe-edge*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.0*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.3*

ubuntu/linux-azure*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.3*

ubuntu/linux-azure-edge*

ubuntu/linux-gcp*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.3*

ubuntu/linux-gke-4.15*

ubuntu/linux-gke-5.4*

ubuntu/linux-gkeop-5.4*

ubuntu/linux-hwe*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-edge*

ubuntu/linux-oem*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.0*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.3*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-gke*

ubuntu/linux-gke-5.15*

ubuntu/linux-gkeop*

ubuntu/linux-gkeop-5.15*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-intel-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-oem-5.10*

ubuntu/linux-oem-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-oem-5.6*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.13*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-raspi2*

ubuntu/linux-riscv*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.11*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.8*

ubuntu/linux-allwinner-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-aws-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.8<6.8.0-1050.53~22.04.1

6.8.0-1050.53~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-azure-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.8<6.8.0-1051.57~22.04.1

6.8.0-1051.57~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.8<6.8.0-1058.65~22.04.1

6.8.0-1058.65~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.8<6.8.0-1052.55~22.04.1

6.8.0-1052.55~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.8<6.8.0-106.106~22.04.1

6.8.0-106.106~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-ibm-6.8<6.8.0-1049.49~22.04.1

6.8.0-1049.49~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-intel-iot-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.8<6.8.0-106.106.1~22.04.1

6.8.0-106.106.1~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.8<6.8.0-1049.52~22.04.1

6.8.0-1049.52~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-oem-5.17*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.0*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.1*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.8<6.8.0-1047.48~22.04.1

6.8.0-1047.48~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-riscv*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.8<6.8.0-106.106~22.04.1

6.8.0-106.106~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux-starfive-5.19*

ubuntu/linux-starfive-6.2*

ubuntu/linux-starfive-6.5*

ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.8<6.8.1-1045.46~22.04.1

6.8.1-1045.46~22.04.1

ubuntu/linux<6.8.0-106.106

6.8.0-106.106

ubuntu/linux-aws<6.8.0-1050.53

6.8.0-1050.53

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-aws-6.17<6.17.0-1007.7~24.04.1

6.17.0-1007.7~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-azure<6.8.0-1051.57

6.8.0-1051.57

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-azure-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde<6.8.0-1058.65

6.8.0-1058.65

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-azure-nvidia<6.8.0-1039.42

6.8.0-1039.42

ubuntu/linux-azure-nvidia-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-gcp<6.8.0-1052.55

6.8.0-1052.55

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.17<6.17.0-1008.8~24.04.1

6.17.0-1008.8~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-gke<6.8.0-1048.53

6.8.0-1048.53

ubuntu/linux-gkeop<6.8.0-1035.38

6.8.0-1035.38

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-ibm<6.8.0-1049.49

6.8.0-1049.49

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency<6.8.0-106.106.1

6.8.0-106.106.1

ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia<6.8.0-1049.52

6.8.0-1049.52

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.17<6.17.0-1008.8

6.17.0-1008.8

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-lowlatency<6.8.0-1049.52.1

6.8.0-1049.52.1

ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra<6.8.0-1020.20

6.8.0-1020.20

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.11*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.17<6.17.0-1011.11

6.17.0-1011.11

ubuntu/linux-oem-6.8*

ubuntu/linux-oracle<6.8.0-1047.48

6.8.0-1047.48

ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.17<6.17.0-1007.7~24.04.1

6.17.0-1007.7~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-raspi<6.8.0-1050.54

6.8.0-1050.54

ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-realtime*

ubuntu/linux-riscv*

ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-xilinx<6.8.0-1028.29

6.8.0-1028.29

ubuntu/linux-bluefield<6.8.0-1017.21

6.8.0-1017.21

ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtime<6.8.0-2040.41

6.8.0-2040.41

ubuntu/linux-realtime<6.8.1-1045.46

6.8.1-1045.46

ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.14*

ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.17<6.17.0-1006.7~24.04.1

6.17.0-1006.7~24.04.1

ubuntu/linux-aws-fips<6.8.0-1050.53+fips1

6.8.0-1050.53+fips1

ubuntu/linux-azure-fips<6.8.0-1052.58+fips1

6.8.0-1052.58+fips1

ubuntu/linux-fips<6.8.0-106.106+fips1

6.8.0-106.106+fips1

ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips<6.8.0-1052.55+fips1

6.8.0-1052.55+fips1

ubuntu/linux<6.17.0-14.14

6.17.0-14.14

ubuntu/linux-aws<6.17.0-1007.7

6.17.0-1007.7

ubuntu/linux-azure<6.17.0-1008.8

6.17.0-1008.8

ubuntu/linux-azure-fde*

ubuntu/linux-gcp<6.17.0-1007.7

6.17.0-1007.7

ubuntu/linux-oracle<6.17.0-1007.7

6.17.0-1007.7

ubuntu/linux-raspi<6.17.0-1008.8

6.17.0-1008.8

ubuntu/linux-realtime<6.17.0-1006.7

6.17.0-1006.7

ubuntu/linux-riscv<6.17.0-14.14.1

6.17.0-14.14.1

ubuntu/linux-vmware*

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1050.53~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1051.57~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1058.65~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1052.55~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-106.106~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-ibm-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1049.49~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-106.106.1~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1049.52~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1047.48~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-106.106~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.8 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.1-1045.46~22.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-106.106
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1050.53
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-6.17 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.17.0-1007.7~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1051.57
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fde to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1058.65
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-nvidia to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1039.42
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1052.55
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.17 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.17.0-1008.8~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gke to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1048.53
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gkeop to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1035.38
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-ibm to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1049.49
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-lowlatency to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-106.106.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1049.52
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.17 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.17.0-1008.8
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-lowlatency to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1049.52.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1020.20
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oem-6.17 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.17.0-1011.11
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1047.48
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.17 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.17.0-1007.7~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-raspi to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1050.54
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-xilinx to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1028.29
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-bluefield to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1017.21
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtime to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-2040.41
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-realtime to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.1-1045.46
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.17 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.17.0-1006.7~24.04.1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1050.53+fips1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1052.58+fips1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-106.106+fips1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.8.0-1052.55+fips1
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.17.0-14.14
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.17.0-1007.7
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.17.0-1008.8
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.17.0-1007.7
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.17.0-1007.7
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-raspi to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.17.0-1008.8
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-realtime to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.17.0-1006.7
Upgrade
Upgrade ubuntu/linux-riscv to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.17.0-14.14.1
Upgrade
Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Patch 5c30e8101e8d

Event History

Oct 28, 2025

CVE Published

via MITRE·11:48 AM

Data Sourced

via MITRE·11:48 AM

DescriptionSeverity

Data Sourced

via OSV·12:15 PM

DescriptionSeverityAffected Software

Data Sourced

via NVD·12:15 PM

DescriptionSeverity

Oct 29, 2025

Data Sourced

via Microsoft·01:01 AM

DescriptionSeverityWeakness

Data Sourced

via Microsoft·01:01 AM

Affected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2025-40038?

CVE-2025-40038 has a moderate severity rating due to its potential impact on KVM's VM-Exit handling.

How do I fix CVE-2025-40038?

To fix CVE-2025-40038, update your Linux kernel to the latest stable version that has addressed this vulnerability.

What software is affected by CVE-2025-40038?

CVE-2025-40038 affects the Linux kernel, specifically the KVM SVM component.

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2025-40038?

CVE-2025-40038 is a flaw related to VM-Exit handling in the KVM SVM module of the Linux kernel.

Can CVE-2025-40038 lead to exploitation?

Yes, CVE-2025-40038 can potentially be exploited if an attacker manipulates the next RIP during VM-Exit handling.

CVE-2025-40038: KVM: SVM: Skip fastpath emulation on VM-Exit if next RIP isn't valid

Affected Software

Remediation

Event History

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2025-40038?

How do I fix CVE-2025-40038?

What software is affected by CVE-2025-40038?

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2025-40038?

Can CVE-2025-40038 lead to exploitation?

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