Vulnerability in Kernel: Harden hvc_xen against event channel storms

Kernel Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

27/12/2021
N/A
No i
Unrated
Not published

GSD-2021-1002769: xen/console: harden hvc_xen against event channel storms. Affects Kernel versions < 153d1ea3272209fc970116f09051002d14422cde. No fix is published. How to fix ↓

Free scan

Check if this vulnerability affects your application

Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.

Check my app free

No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds

Upload your dependency manifest or SBOM

Drag & drop your file here or

Java Javascript PHP Python Go Rust Ruby Dart C/C++ Elixir CycloneDX SPDX

Upload a supported dependency manifest or SBOM. No installation or source-code access required.

See supported files and SBOM formats
SBOM sbom.json · bom.json · bom.xml · *.spdx.json · *.cdx.json · *.cdx.xml
Java pom.xml · gradle.lockfile · buildscript-gradle.lockfile
Javascript package-lock.json · yarn.lock · pnpm-lock.yaml
PHP composer.lock
Python poetry.lock · requirements.txt · Pipfile.lock
Go go.mod
Rust Cargo.lock
Ruby Gemfile.lock
Dart pubspec.lock
C/C++ conan.lock
Elixir mix.lock
Enter your work email to receive your report link.

Verify your email to view the full report and start 30 days of continuous monitoring. No credit card required.

Sponsored Devnack Your last release was probably never penetration tested Manual testing by engineers who build software, not an auditor's checklist. Trusted by teams at Swift and Google Talk to Devnack

Background

The Kernel is a critical component of the Linux operating system that provides core functionality and interfaces with hardware devices. It manages system resources, facilitates communication between software and hardware, and ensures the security and stability of the system. The hvc_xen module within the Kernel is responsible for handling console input and output for Xen virtual machines. It allows communication between the virtual machine and the hypervisor. However, this module is vulnerable to event channel storms, which can lead to denial-of-service (DoS) attacks and impact the availability of the system.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability in hvc_xen module allows an attacker to initiate event channel storms, overwhelming the system with a large number of events. This can result in resource exhaustion, leading to a DoS condition. By continuously sending events to the hvc_xen module, an attacker can disrupt the normal operation of the system and potentially cause it to crash. The impact of this vulnerability can be severe, affecting the availability and stability of the system.

How To Fix

No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.

Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →

Workaround

Currently, no known workarounds exist for this vulnerability. It is crucial to apply the recommended fix by updating the Kernel to the patched version.

Conclusion

The vulnerability in the hvc_xen module of the Kernel can be exploited to initiate event channel storms, leading to a denial-of-service condition. To mitigate this risk, it is crucial to update the Kernel to version v5.15.11 or later. No known workarounds exist for this vulnerability. If you have any further questions or need assistance with vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.

See every vulnerability recorded for Kernel →

Share this vulnerability

FAQ

The vulnerability can lead to a denial-of-service (DoS) condition, impacting the availability and stability of the system.

You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your system is affected by this vulnerability. Simply upload your package-lock.json file, and Vulert will analyze it for any open-source vulnerabilities, including this one.

Currently, no known exploits for this vulnerability have been reported. However, it is essential to apply the recommended fix to mitigate the risk.

Yes, this vulnerability can be exploited remotely. An attacker can initiate event channel storms over a network connection, causing a DoS condition on the targeted system.

For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can reach out to info@devnack.com. They can provide guidance and assistance in addressing this vulnerability.

Related vulnerabilities

Recent vulnerabilities recorded for Kernel.

How To Fix

No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.

Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →

Subscribe to Vulert on Telegram
Daily digest of new CVEs, critical and high severity, affected packages and fixes — plus a weekly roundup.
Join the channel →
Help improve this record
Report an issue or send feedback