Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
KVM: PPC: Book3S HV: Fix stack handling in idle_kvm_start_guest()
In commit 10d91611f426 ("powerpc/64s: Reimplement book3s idle code in
C") kvm_start_guest() became idle_kvm_start_guest(). The old code
allocated a stack frame on the emergency stack, but didn't use the
frame to store anything, and also didn't store anything in its caller's
frame.
idle_kvm_start_guest() on the other hand is written more like a normal C
function, it creates a frame on entry, and also stores CR/LR into its
callers frame (per the ABI). The problem is that there is no caller
frame on the emergency stack.
The emergency stack for a given CPU is allocated with:
paca_ptrs[i]->emergency_sp = alloc_stack(limit, i) + THREAD_SIZE;
So emergency_sp actually points to the first address above the emergency
stack allocation for a given CPU, we must not store above it without
first decrementing it to create a frame. This is different to the
regular kernel stack, paca->kstack, which is initialised to point at an
initial frame that is ready to use.
idle_kvm_start_guest() stores the backchain, CR and LR all of which
write outside the allocation for the emergency stack. It then creates a
stack frame and saves the non-volatile registers. Unfortunately the
frame it creates is not large enough to fit the non-volatiles, and so
the saving of the non-volatile registers also writes outside the
emergency stack allocation.
The end result is that we corrupt whatever is at 0-24 bytes, and 112-248
bytes above the emergency stack allocation.
In practice this has gone unnoticed because the memory immediately above
the emergency stack happens to be used for other stack allocations,
either another CPUs mc_emergency_sp or an IRQ stack. See the order of
calls to irqstack_early_init() and emergency_stack_init().
The low addresses of another stack are the top of that stack, and so are
only used if that stack is under extreme pressue, which essentially
never happens in practice - and if it did there's a high likelyhood we'd
crash due to that stack overflowing.
Still, we shouldn't be corrupting someone else's stack, and it is purely
luck that we aren't corrupting something else.
To fix it we save CR/LR into the caller's frame using the existing r1 on
entry, we then create a SWITCH_FRAME_SIZE frame (which has space for
pt_regs) on the emergency stack with the backchain pointing to the
existing stack, and then finally we switch to the new frame on the
emergency stack.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 5.2 | 5.4.156 |
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 | 5.14.16-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | linux | 5.14.16-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | linux | 5.14.16-1 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-raspi-realtime | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-riscv +22 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux | 5.4.0-92.103 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-aws | 5.4.0-1061.64 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-azure | 5.4.0-1065.68 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-bluefield | 5.4.0-1023.26 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-gcp +1 | 5.4.0-1059.63 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-gke +26 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-gkeop | 5.4.0-1029.30 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-ibm | 5.4.0-1010.11 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-kvm | 5.4.0-1051.53 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-raspi | 5.4.0-1048.53 | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-aws-5.4 | 5.4.0-1061.64~18.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-azure-5.4 | 5.4.0-1065.68~18.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-gcp +14 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-gcp-5.4 +1 | 5.4.0-1059.63~18.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-hwe-5.4 | 5.4.0-92.103~18.04.2 | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-raspi-5.4 | 5.4.0-1048.53~18.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-hwe-edge | No fix yet | — |
Show 2 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS 20.04 LTS | linux-fips +3 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 20.04 LTS | linux-aws-fips | 5.4.0-1069.73+fips2 | — |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 20.04 LTS | linux-azure-fips | 5.4.0-1073.76+fips1 | — |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 20.04 LTS | linux-fips | 5.4.0-1038.44 | — |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 20.04 LTS | linux-gcp-fips | 5.4.0-1067.71~20.04.1 | — |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 15 SP5 | kernel-64kb +6 | 5.14.21-150500.55.68.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2190-1 |
| SLES 15 SP5 | kernel-azure +2 | 5.14.21-150500.33.57.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2019-1 |
| SLES 15 SP5 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150500.55.68.1.150500.6.31.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2190-1 |
| SLES 15 SP4 | kernel-64kb +4 | 5.14.21-150400.24.122.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:2189-1 |
| SLES 15 SP4 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.122.2.150400.24.58.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:2189-1 |
| SLES 15 SP4 | kernel-syms +1 | 5.14.21-150400.24.122.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2189-1 |
| SLES 15 SP3 | kernel-64kb +7 | 5.3.18-150300.59.164.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2185-1 |
| SLES 15 SP3 | kernel-default-base | 5.3.18-150300.59.164.1.150300.18.96.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2185-1 |
| SLES 15 SP2 | kernel-default-base | 5.3.18-150200.24.194.1.150200.9.99.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2183-1 |
| SLES 15 SP2 | kernel-docs +5 | 5.3.18-150200.24.194.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2183-1 |
Show 19 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 15 SP4 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.122.2.150400.24.58.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:2189-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP4 | kernel-docs +2 | 5.14.21-150400.24.122.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:2189-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP4 | kernel-syms +1 | 5.14.21-150400.24.122.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2189-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP3 | kernel-default-base | 5.3.18-150300.59.164.1.150300.18.96.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2185-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP3 | kernel-docs +5 | 5.3.18-150300.59.164.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2185-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP2 | kernel-default-base | 5.3.18-150200.24.194.1.150200.9.99.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2183-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP2 | kernel-docs +5 | 5.3.18-150200.24.194.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2183-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.5 | kernel-default | 5.14.21-150500.55.68.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2190-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.5 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150500.55.68.1.150500.6.31.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2190-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.5 | kernel-rt +1 | 5.14.21-150500.13.58.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2008-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.4 | kernel-default | 5.14.21-150400.24.122.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:2189-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.4 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.122.2.150400.24.58.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:2189-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.4 | kernel-rt +1 | 5.14.21-150400.15.82.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2011-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.3 | kernel-default | 5.14.21-150400.24.122.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:2189-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.3 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.122.2.150400.24.58.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:2189-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.3 | kernel-rt +1 | 5.14.21-150400.15.82.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2011-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.2 | kernel-default | 5.3.18-150300.59.164.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2185-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.2 | kernel-default-base | 5.3.18-150300.59.164.1.150300.18.96.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2185-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.2 | kernel-rt +1 | 5.3.18-150300.172.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2010-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.1 | kernel-default | 5.3.18-150300.59.164.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2185-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.1 | kernel-default-base | 5.3.18-150300.59.164.1.150300.18.96.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2185-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.1 | kernel-rt +1 | 5.3.18-150300.172.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2010-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP5 | kernel-default | 5.14.21-150500.55.68.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2190-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP5 | kernel-livepatch-SLE15-SP5_Update_15 +1 | 1-150500.11.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2190-1, SUSE-SU-2024:2008-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP4 | kernel-default | 5.14.21-150400.24.122.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:2189-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP4 | kernel-livepatch-SLE15-SP4_Update_27 | 1-150400.9.3.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:2189-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP3 | kernel-default | 5.3.18-150300.59.164.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2185-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP3 | kernel-livepatch-SLE15-SP3_Update_45 | 1-150300.7.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2185-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP2 | kernel-default | 5.3.18-150200.24.194.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2183-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP2 | kernel-livepatch-SLE15-SP2_Update_49 | 1-150200.5.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2183-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP4 | kernel-64kb +3 | 5.14.21-150400.24.122.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:2189-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP4 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.122.2.150400.24.58.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:2189-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP4 | kernel-syms +1 | 5.14.21-150400.24.122.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2189-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP3 | kernel-64kb +6 | 5.3.18-150300.59.164.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2185-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP3 | kernel-default-base | 5.3.18-150300.59.164.1.150300.18.96.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2185-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP2 | kernel-default-base | 5.3.18-150200.24.194.1.150200.9.99.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2183-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP2 | kernel-docs +5 | 5.3.18-150200.24.194.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2183-1 |
| SUSE Real Time Module 15 SP5 | kernel-rt +3 | 5.14.21-150500.13.58.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2008-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server 4.3 | kernel-default +1 | 5.14.21-150400.24.122.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:2189-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server 4.3 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.122.2.150400.24.58.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:2189-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server 4.3 | kernel-syms +1 | 5.14.21-150400.24.122.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2189-1 |
| SUSE Manager Proxy 4.3 | kernel-default | 5.14.21-150400.24.122.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:2189-1 |
| SUSE Manager Proxy 4.3 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.122.2.150400.24.58.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:2189-1 |
| SUSE Manager Proxy 4.3 | kernel-syms +1 | 5.14.21-150400.24.122.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2189-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 7.1 | kernel-64kb +6 | 5.3.18-150300.59.164.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2185-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 7.1 | kernel-default-base | 5.3.18-150300.59.164.1.150300.18.96.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2185-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Leap 15.5 | dtb-aarch64 +10 | 5.14.21-150500.55.68.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2190-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.5 | kernel-azure +2 | 5.14.21-150500.33.57.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2019-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.5 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150500.55.68.1.150500.6.31.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2190-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.5 | kernel-rt +3 | 5.14.21-150500.13.58.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2008-1 |
Show 2 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Leap Micro 5.4 | kernel-default | 5.14.21-150400.24.122.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:2189-1 |
| openSUSE Leap Micro 5.4 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.122.2.150400.24.58.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:2189-1 |
| openSUSE Leap Micro 5.4 | kernel-rt | 5.14.21-150400.15.82.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2011-1 |
| openSUSE Leap Micro 5.3 | kernel-default | 5.14.21-150400.24.122.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:2189-1 |
| openSUSE Leap Micro 5.3 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.122.2.150400.24.58.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:2189-1 |
| openSUSE Leap Micro 5.3 | kernel-rt | 5.14.21-150400.15.82.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:2011-1 |
Advisories 9
- WID-SEC-2024-1197 Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Denial of Service und unspezifische Angriffe BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Nov 9, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2024:2019-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2024:2189-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2024:2010-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2024:2190-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2024:2008-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2024:2183-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2024:2011-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2024:2185-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · May 2, 2025