CVE-2026-31788: xen/privcmd: restrict usage in unprivileged domU

Published Mar 24, 2026
·
Updated

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

xen/privcmd: restrict usage in unprivileged domU

The Xen privcmd driver allows to issue arbitrary hypercalls from user space processes. This is normally no problem, as access is usually limited to root and the hypervisor will deny any hypercalls affecting other domains.

In case the guest is booted using secure boot, however, the privcmd driver would be enabling a root user process to modify e.g. kernel memory contents, thus breaking the secure boot feature.

The only known case where an unprivileged domU is really needing to use the privcmd driver is the case when it is acting as the device model for another guest. In this case all hypercalls issued via the privcmd driver will target that other guest.

Fortunately the privcmd driver can already be locked down to allow only hypercalls targeting a specific domain, but this mode can be activated from user land only today.

The target domain can be obtained from Xenstore, so when not running in dom0 restrict the privcmd driver to that target domain from the beginning, resolving the potential problem of breaking secure boot.

This is XSA-482

--- V2: - defer reading from Xenstore if Xenstore isn't ready yet (Jan Beulich) - wait in open() if target domain isn't known yet - issue message in case no target domain found (Jan Beulich)

Affected Software

16 affected components
Linux Linux kernel (xen/privcmd driver)
Linux Linux kernel>=2.6.37.1<5.10.253
Linux Linux kernel>=5.11<5.15.203
Linux Linux kernel>=5.16<6.1.167
Linux Linux kernel>=6.2<6.6.130
Linux Linux kernel>=6.7<6.12.78
Linux Linux kernel>=6.13<6.18.20
Linux Linux kernel>=6.19<6.19.10
Linux Linux kernel=2.6.37
Linux Linux kernel=7.0-rc1
Linux Linux kernel=7.0-rc2
Linux Linux kernel=7.0-rc3
Linux Linux kernel=7.0-rc4
Linux Linux kernel=7.0-rc5
Linux Linux kernel=7.0-rc6
Linux Linux kernel=7.0-rc7

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade xen/privcmd to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Patch XSA-482
  2. Configuration

    Update the Xen privcmd driver to XSA-482 so it restricts usage in unprivileged domU to hypercalls targeting a specific domain only, preventing circumvention of kernel lockdown and secure boot.

    Xen privcmd driver privcmd hypercall target restriction = restrict hypercalls to a specific target domain only (avoid arbitrary hypercalls from unprivileged domU)

Event History

Mar 25, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·10:25 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·10:25 AM
DescriptionSeverity
Data Sourced
via NVD·11:16 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-31788?

CVE-2026-31788 is classified as a medium-severity vulnerability.

2

How do I fix CVE-2026-31788?

To fix CVE-2026-31788, update your Linux kernel to the latest version where the vulnerability has been patched.

3

What impact does CVE-2026-31788 have on systems?

CVE-2026-31788 allows unprivileged domain users to execute arbitrary hypercalls, potentially compromising system security.

4

Which systems are affected by CVE-2026-31788?

CVE-2026-31788 affects systems running the Linux kernel with the xen/privcmd driver.

5

Is CVE-2026-31788 exploitable remotely?

CVE-2026-31788 exploits are typically not remote, as it requires local access to an unprivileged domU.

Contact

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