KVM: x86: Forcibly leave nested virt when SMM state is toggled
Summary
GSD-2022-1000248: KVM: x86: Forcibly leave nested virt when SMM state is toggled. Affects Kernel versions < e302786233e6bc512986d007c96458ccf5ca21c7. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The Kernel package is a fundamental component of the Linux operating system. It provides the core functionality and interfaces for the system's hardware, software, and processes. KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) is a module within the Kernel package that allows the Linux kernel to act as a hypervisor, enabling the creation and management of virtual machines on x86-based systems. This vulnerability specifically affects the x86 architecture in KVM when the SMM (System Management Mode) state is toggled.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in KVM occurs when nested virtualization is being used and the SMM state is toggled. SMM is a special operating mode in x86 processors that is used for system management tasks. When the SMM state is toggled, it can lead to unexpected behavior and potentially allow an attacker to escape the nested virtualization environment. The impact and attack plausibility of this vulnerability have not been proven yet, but it is important to address it to ensure the security of virtualized environments.
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
There is no specific workaround mentioned for this vulnerability.
Conclusion
The KVM vulnerability in the Linux Kernel, which allows an attacker to escape the nested virtualization environment when the SMM state is toggled, has been addressed in Linux Kernel version v5.15.19. Users are advised to update their Linux Kernel to this version or later to ensure the security of their virtualized environments. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for Kernel →
FAQ
The impact of this vulnerability is not yet proven, but it has the potential to allow an attacker to escape the nested virtualization environment.
You can use the Vulert playground (https://vulert.com/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.
There is no known exploit for this vulnerability at the moment.
The recommended mitigation is to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.15.19 or later.
This vulnerability affects the Linux Kernel, which is used by various operating systems based on Linux.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for Kernel.
