Description
The paravirt_ops_setup function in arch/x86/kernel/kvm.c in the Linux kernel through 3.18 uses an improper paravirt_enabled setting for KVM guest kernels, which makes it easier for guest OS users to bypass the ASLR protection mechanism via a crafted application that reads a 16-bit value.
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 | 3.16.7-ckt4-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | linux | 3.16.7-ckt4-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | linux | 3.16.7-ckt4-1 | — |
| Debian 6.0 | linux-2.6 | 2.6.32-48squeeze11 | DLA-155-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | linux | 3.13.0-43.72 | USN-2446-1 |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | linux-lts-utopic | 3.16.0-28.37~14.04.1 | USN-2447-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 6 | perf +16 | 2.6.32-642.el6 | RHSA-2016:0855 |
Oracle Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle Linux 7 | dtrace-modules-3.8.13-68.el6uek | 0.4.3-4.el6 | ELSA-2015-3012 |
| Oracle Linux 7 | dtrace-modules-3.8.13-68.el7uek | 0.4.3-4.el7 | ELSA-2015-3012 |
| Oracle Linux 7 | kernel-uek +5 | 3.8.13-68.el7uek | ELSA-2015-3012 |
Advisories 5
- RHSA-2016:0855 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 29, 2026
- USN-2446-1 linux vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Apr 22, 2026
- DLA-155-1 linux-2.6 - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- USN-2447-1 linux-lts-utopic vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
- ELSA-2015-3012 Important: Unbreakable Enterprise kernel security and bugfix update (Oracle Linux 7) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Mar 19, 2015
References
- RHSA-2016:0855 vendor-advisory
- [kvm] 20141205 [PATCH] x86, kvm: Clear paravirt_enabled on KVM guests for espfix32's benefit mailing-list
- SUSE-SU-2015:0736 vendor-advisory
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/linuxbulletinapr2016-2952096.html
- https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1400314
- SUSE-SU-2015:0481 vendor-advisory
- openSUSE-SU-2015:0566 vendor-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1172765
- 71650 vdb-entry
- 62336 third-party-advisory
- openSUSE-SU-2015:0714 vendor-advisory
- http://people.canonical.com/~ubuntu-security/cve/2014/CVE-2014-8134.html
- https://bugzilla.novell.com/show_bug.cgi?id=909078
- https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K17120
- https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K17120?utm_source=f5support&%3Butm_medium=RSS