Description
The xen_iret function in arch/x86/xen/xen-asm_32.S in the Linux kernel before 3.7.9 on 32-bit Xen paravirt_ops platforms does not properly handle an invalid value in the DS segment register, which allows guest OS users to gain guest OS privileges via a crafted application.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | linux | 3.2.39-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | linux | 3.2.39-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | linux | 3.2.39-1 | — |
| Debian 6.0 | linux-2.6 | 2.6.32-48squeeze9 | DLA-103-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 6 | perf +15 | 2.6.32-358.2.1.el6 | RHSA-2013:0630 |
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2013:0630 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DLA-103-1 linux-2.6 - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- USN-1796-1 vendor-advisory
- http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v3.x/ChangeLog-3.7.9
- USN-1805-1 vendor-advisory
- MDVSA-2013:176 vendor-advisory
- USN-1797-1 vendor-advisory
- USN-1808-1 vendor-advisory
- http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=13d2b4d11d69a92574a55bfd985cfb0ca77aebdc
- https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/13d2b4d11d69a92574a55bfd985cfb0ca77aebdc
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=906309
- [oss-security] 20130213 Xen Security Advisory 42 (CVE-2013-0228) - Linux kernel hits general protection if %ds is corrupt for 32-bit PVOPS. mailing-list
- USN-1795-1 vendor-advisory