Description
The vCPU context-switch implementation in Xen through 4.8.x improperly interacts with the Memory Protection Extensions (MPX) and Protection Key (PKU) features, which makes it easier for guest OS users to defeat ASLR and other protection mechanisms, aka XSA-220.
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 | xen | 4.8.1-1+deb9u3 | — |
| Debian 13 | xen | 4.8.1-1+deb9u3 | — |
| Debian 12 | xen | 4.8.1-1+deb9u3 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | xen | 4.6.5-0ubuntu1.2 | — |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 SP1 | xen | 4.5.5_12-22.18.1 | SUSE-SU-2017:1812-1 |
Show 2 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 12 SP1 | xen | 4.5.5_12-22.18.1 | SUSE-SU-2017:1812-1 |
| SUSE OpenStack Cloud 6 | xen | 4.5.5_12-22.18.1 | SUSE-SU-2017:1812-1 |
Alpine
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine v3.24 | xen | 4.9.0-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.23 | xen | 4.9.0-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.22 | xen | 4.9.0-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.21 | xen | 4.9.0-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.20 | xen | 4.9.0-r0 | — |
Show 17 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine v3.19 | xen | 4.9.0-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.18 | xen | 4.9.0-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.17 | xen | 4.9.0-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.16 | xen | 4.9.0-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.15 | xen | 4.9.0-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.14 | xen | 4.9.0-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.13 | xen | 4.9.0-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.12 | xen | 4.9.0-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.11 | xen | 4.9.0-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.10 | xen | 4.9.0-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.9 | xen | 4.9.0-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.8 | xen | 4.9.0-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.7 | xen | 4.9.0-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.6 | xen | 4.8.2-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.5 | xen | 4.7.3-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.4 | xen | 4.6.6-r0 | — |
| Alpine v3.3 | xen | 4.6.6-r0 | — |
Advisories 1
- SUSE-SU-2017:1812-1 Security update for xen SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- https://xenbits.xen.org/xsa/advisory-220.html
- GLSA-201708-03 vendor-advisory
- DSA-3969 vendor-advisory
- 1038730 vdb-entry
- 99167 vdb-entry