UBUNTU-CVE-2024-53135: Medium severity ubuntu/linux-hwe-edge vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: KVM: VMX: Bury Intel PT virtualization (guest/host mode) behind CONFIGBROKEN Hide KVM's ptmode module param behind CONFIGBROKEN, i.e. disable support for virtualizing Intel PT via guest/host mode unless BROKEN=y. There are myriad bugs in the implementation, some of which are fatal to the guest, and others which put the stability and health of the host at risk. For guest fatalities, the most glaring issue is that KVM fails to ensure tracing is disabled, and stays disabled prior to VM-Enter, which is necessary as hardware disallows loading (the guest's) RTITCTL if tracing is enabled (enforced via a VMX consistency check). Per the SDM: If the logical processor is operating with Intel PT enabled (if IA32RTITCTL.TraceEn = 1) at the time of VM entry, the "load IA32RTITCTL" VM-entry control must be 0. On the host side, KVM doesn't validate the guest CPUID configuration provided by userspace, and even worse, uses the guest configuration to decide what MSRs to save/load at VM-Enter and VM-Exit. E.g. configuring guest CPUID to enumerate more address ranges than are supported in hardware will result in KVM trying to passthrough, save, and load non-existent MSRs, which generates a variety of WARNs, ToPA ERRORs in the host, a potential deadlock, etc.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
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ubuntu/linux-aws-5.4to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.4.0-1142.152~18.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-azure-5.4to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.4.0-1147.154~18.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.4to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.4.0-1145.154~18.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.4to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.4.0-211.231~18.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-ibm-5.4to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.4.0-1090.95~18.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.4to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.4.0-1140.149~18.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-raspi-5.4to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.4.0-1129.142~18.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linuxto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.4.0-211.231 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-awsto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.4.0-1142.152 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-aws-5.15to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-1080.87~20.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-azureto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.4.0-1147.154 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-azure-5.15to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-1086.95~20.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-bluefieldto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.4.0-1101.108 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-gcpto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.4.0-1145.154 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.15to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-1081.90~20.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.15to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-136.147~20.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-ibmto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.4.0-1088.93 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-ibm-5.15to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-1074.77~20.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-intel-iotg-5.15to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-1077.83~20.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-iotto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.4.0-1048.51 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-kvmto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.4.0-1129.138 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-5.15to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-135.146~20.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-oracleto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.4.0-1140.150 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.15to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-1077.83~20.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-raspito a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.4.0-1129.142 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.15to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-1075.79~20.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-xilinx-zynqmpto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.4.0-1060.64 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra-5.15to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-1039.39~20.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-aws-fipsto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.4.0-1142.153+fips1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-azure-fipsto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.4.0-1147.154+fips1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-fipsto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.4.0-1116.126 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-gcp-fipsto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.4.0-1145.154+fips1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linuxto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-135.146 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-awsto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-1080.87 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-aws-6.8to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1027.29~22.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-azureto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-1084.93 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-azure-6.8to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1027.32~22.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-azure-fdeto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-1084.93.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-gcpto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-1079.88 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.8to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1028.30~22.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-gketo a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-1077.83 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-gkeopto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-1062.70 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-hwe-6.8to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-58.60~22.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-ibmto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-1072.75 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-ibm-6.8to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1024.24~22.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-intel-iot-realtimeto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-1073.75 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-intel-iotgto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-1075.81 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-kvmto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-1076.81 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-lowlatencyto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-135.146 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.8to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-58.60.1~22.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-nvidiato a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-1074.75 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.8to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1026.29~22.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegrato a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-1033.33 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegra-igxto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-1021.21 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-oracleto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-1077.83 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-oracle-6.8to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1024.25~22.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-raspito a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-1074.77 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-riscv-6.8to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-58.60.1~22.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-xilinx-zynqmpto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-1044.48 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-bluefieldto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-1062.64 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-realtimeto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-1080.88 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-realtime-6.8to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.1-1020.21~22.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-aws-fipsto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-1080.87+fips1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-azure-fipsto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-1083.92+fips1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-fipsto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-135.146+fips1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-gcp-fipsto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 5.15.0-1079.88+fips1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linuxto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-58.60 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-awsto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1027.29 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-azureto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1027.32 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-azure-6.11to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.11.0-1012.12~24.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-azure-nvidiato a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1014.15 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-gcpto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1028.30 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-gcp-6.11to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.11.0-1011.11~24.04.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-gketo a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1023.27 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-gkeopto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1010.12 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-ibmto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1024.24 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-lowlatencyto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-58.60.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-nvidiato a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1026.29 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-nvidia-6.11to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.11.0-1007.7 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-nvidia-lowlatencyto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1026.29.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-nvidia-tegrato a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1008.8 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-oem-6.11to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.11.0-1015.15 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-oem-6.8to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1026.26 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-oracleto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1024.25 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-raspito a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1028.32 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-riscvto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-58.60.1 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-xilinxto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-1017.18 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtimeto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-2023.24 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-realtimeto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.1-1020.21 - Upgrade
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ubuntu/linux-fipsto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 6.8.0-78.78+fips1 - Configuration
Disable support for virtualizing Intel PT via guest/host mode, and hide the KVM pt_mode module parameter behind CONFIG_BROKEN.
KVM Intel PT virtualization (guest/host mode) = disabled unless CONFIG_BROKEN=y
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
Which systems are exposed to this issue?
Systems using KVM with Intel PT virtualization through the pt_mode module parameter are exposed. The affected Ubuntu kernel package families listed are linux, linux-fips, linux-azure, linux-gcp, linux-aws-fips, linux-azure-fips, linux-gcp-fips, and linux-realtime.
What access or configuration is required to exploit the issue?
An attacker needs high privileges and local access, as reflected by the PR:H and AV:L vector. Exploitation depends on KVM Intel PT guest/host-mode virtualization and can involve userspace-provided guest CPUID configuration.
Is Intel PT virtualization enabled by default after the fix?
No. The resolution hides KVM's pt_mode parameter behind CONFIG_BROKEN, disabling Intel PT virtualization via guest/host mode unless the kernel is built with BROKEN=y.
What is the impact if the vulnerable functionality is used?
The described implementation flaws can cause fatal guest failures and can put host stability and health at risk. Incorrect guest CPUID configuration can cause KVM to save or load MSRs based on unsupported Intel PT address-range capabilities.