CVE-2026-43265
Analyzed
Analyzed - Analysis Complete
Race Condition in Linux Kernel KVM x86 Module
Publication date: 2026-05-06
Last updated on: 2026-05-08
Assigner: kernel.org
Description
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
KVM: x86: Ignore -EBUSY when checking nested events from vcpu_block()
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 KVM_EXIT_UNKNOWN, 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 MP_STATE 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.
CVSS Scores
EPSS Scores
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Meta Information
Affected Vendors & Products
| Vendor | Product | Version / Range |
|---|---|---|
| linux | linux_kernel | From 6.13 (inc) to 6.18.17 (exc) |
| linux | linux_kernel | From 6.2 (inc) to 6.6.130 (exc) |
| linux | linux_kernel | From 6.7 (inc) to 6.12.77 (exc) |
| linux | linux_kernel | From 6.19 (inc) to 6.19.6 (exc) |
| linux | linux_kernel | From 6.1 (inc) to 6.1.167 (exc) |
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
| CWE ID | Description |
|---|---|
| CWE-UNKNOWN |