CVE-2026-43265: KVM: x86: Ignore -EBUSY when checking nested events from vcpu_block()

Published May 6, 2026
·
Updated

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

KVM: x86: Ignore -EBUSY when checking nested events from vcpublock()

Ignore -EBUSY when checking nested events after exiting a blocking state while L2 is active, as exiting to userspace will generate a spurious userspace exit, usually with KVMEXITUNKNOWN, and likely lead to the VM's demise. Continuing with the wakeup isn't perfect either, as something has gone sideways if a vCPU is awakened in L2 with an injected event (or worse, a nested run pending), but continuing on gives the VM a decent chance of surviving without any major side effects.

As explained in the Fixes commits, it should be impossible for a vCPU to be put into a blocking state with an already-injected event (exception, IRQ, or NMI). Unfortunately, userspace can stuff MPSTATE and/or injected events, and thus put the vCPU into what should be an impossible state.

Don't bother trying to preserve the WARN, e.g. with an anti-syzkaller Kconfig, as WARNs can (hopefully) be added in paths where KVM would be violating x86 architecture, e.g. by WARNing if KVM attempts to inject an exception or interrupt while the vCPU isn't running.

Affected Software

6 affected components
Linux Linux kernel
Linux Linux kernel>=6.1<6.1.167
Linux Linux kernel>=6.2<6.6.130
Linux Linux kernel>=6.7<6.12.77
Linux Linux kernel>=6.13<6.18.17
Linux Linux kernel>=6.19<6.19.6

Event History

May 6, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·11:28 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·11:28 AM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·12:16 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-43265?

CVE-2026-43265 is classified as a moderate severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel.

2

How do I fix CVE-2026-43265?

To fix CVE-2026-43265, you should upgrade to a patched version of the Linux kernel as specified by your distribution.

3

What versions of the Linux kernel are affected by CVE-2026-43265?

CVE-2026-43265 affects Linux kernel versions between 6.1 and 6.19, specifically several versions across these ranges.

4

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2026-43265?

CVE-2026-43265 is a vulnerability related to the handling of nested events in KVM on x86 architecture.

5

Is CVE-2026-43265 remotely exploitable?

CVE-2026-43265 is not considered remotely exploitable, as it requires local access to the affected system.

Contact

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