// For flags

CVE-2022-49886

x86/tdx: Panic on bad configs that #VE on "private" memory access

Severity Score

5.5
*CVSS v3

Exploit Likelihood

*EPSS

Affected Versions

*CPE

Public Exploits

0
*Multiple Sources

Exploited in Wild

-
*KEV

Decision

-
*SSVC
Descriptions

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: x86/tdx: Panic on bad configs that #VE on "private" memory access All normal kernel memory is "TDX private memory". This includes
everything from kernel stacks to kernel text. Handling
exceptions on arbitrary accesses to kernel memory is essentially
impossible because they can happen in horribly nasty places like
kernel entry/exit. But, TDX hardware can theoretically _deliver_
a virtualization exception (#VE) on any access to private memory. But, it's not as bad as it sounds. TDX can be configured to never
deliver these exceptions on private memory with a "TD attribute"
called ATTR_SEPT_VE_DISABLE. The guest has no way to *set* this
attribute, but it can check it. Ensure ATTR_SEPT_VE_DISABLE is set in early boot. panic() if it
is unset. There is no sane way for Linux to run with this
attribute clear so a panic() is appropriate. There's small window during boot before the check where kernel
has an early #VE handler. But the handler is only for port I/O
and will also panic() as soon as it sees any other #VE, such as
a one generated by a private memory access. [ dhansen: Rewrite changelog and rebase on new tdx_parse_tdinfo(). Add Kirill's tested-by because I made changes since he wrote this. ]

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: x86/tdx: Panic on bad configs that #VE on "private" memory access All normal kernel memory is "TDX private memory". This includes everything from kernel stacks to kernel text. Handling exceptions on arbitrary accesses to kernel memory is essentially impossible because they can happen in horribly nasty places like kernel entry/exit. But, TDX hardware can theoretically _deliver_ a virtualization exception (#VE) on any access to private memory. But, it's not as bad as it sounds. TDX can be configured to never deliver these exceptions on private memory with a "TD attribute" called ATTR_SEPT_VE_DISABLE. The guest has no way to *set* this attribute, but it can check it. Ensure ATTR_SEPT_VE_DISABLE is set in early boot. panic() if it is unset. There is no sane way for Linux to run with this attribute clear so a panic() is appropriate. There's small window during boot before the check where kernel has an early #VE handler. But the handler is only for port I/O and will also panic() as soon as it sees any other #VE, such as a one generated by a private memory access. [ dhansen: Rewrite changelog and rebase on new tdx_parse_tdinfo(). Add Kirill's tested-by because I made changes since he wrote this. ]

*Credits: N/A
CVSS Scores
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
None
Integrity
None
Availability
High
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Authentication
None
Confidentiality
Complete
Integrity
None
Availability
Complete
* Common Vulnerability Scoring System
SSVC
  • Decision:-
Exploitation
-
Automatable
-
Tech. Impact
-
* Organization's Worst-case Scenario
Timeline
  • 2025-05-01 CVE Reserved
  • 2025-05-01 CVE Published
  • 2025-05-01 CVE Updated
  • 2025-05-02 EPSS Updated
  • ---------- Exploited in Wild
  • ---------- KEV Due Date
  • ---------- First Exploit
CWE
CAPEC
Affected Vendors, Products, and Versions
Vendor Product Version Other Status
Vendor Product Version Other Status <-- --> Vendor Product Version Other Status
Linux
Search vendor "Linux"
Linux Kernel
Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel"
>= 5.19 < 6.0.8
Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel" and version " >= 5.19 < 6.0.8"
en
Affected
Linux
Search vendor "Linux"
Linux Kernel
Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel"
>= 5.19 < 6.1
Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel" and version " >= 5.19 < 6.1"
en
Affected