Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
bpf: Fix pointer-leak due to insufficient speculative store bypass mitigation
To mitigate Spectre v4, 2039f26f3aca ("bpf: Fix leakage due to
insufficient speculative store bypass mitigation") inserts lfence
instructions after 1) initializing a stack slot and 2) spilling a
pointer to the stack.
However, this does not cover cases where a stack slot is first
initialized with a pointer (subject to sanitization) but then
overwritten with a scalar (not subject to sanitization because
the slot was already initialized). In this case, the second write
may be subject to speculative store bypass (SSB) creating a
speculative pointer-as-scalar type confusion. This allows the
program to subsequently leak the numerical pointer value using,
for example, a branch-based cache side channel.
To fix this, also sanitize scalars if they write a stack slot
that previously contained a pointer. Assuming that pointer-spills
are only generated by LLVM on register-pressure, the performance
impact on most real-world BPF programs should be small.
The following unprivileged BPF bytecode drafts a minimal exploit
and the mitigation:
[...]
// r6 = 0 or 1 (skalar, unknown user input)
// r7 = accessible ptr for side channel
// r10 = frame pointer (fp), to be leaked
//
r9 = r10 # fp alias to encourage ssb
*(u64 *)(r9 - 8) = r10 // fp[-8] = ptr, to be leaked
// lfence added here because of pointer spill to stack.
//
// Ommitted: Dummy bpf_ringbuf_output() here to train alias predictor
// for no r9-r10 dependency.
//
*(u64 *)(r10 - 8) = r6 // fp[-8] = scalar, overwrites ptr
// 2039f26f3aca: no lfence added because stack slot was not STACK_INVALID,
// store may be subject to SSB
//
// fix: also add an lfence when the slot contained a ptr
//
r8 = *(u64 *)(r9 - 8)
// r8 = architecturally a scalar, speculatively a ptr
//
// leak ptr using branch-based cache side channel:
r8 &= 1 // choose bit to leak
if r8 == 0 goto SLOW // no mispredict
// architecturally dead code if input r6 is 0,
// only executes speculatively iff ptr bit is 1
r8 = *(u64 *)(r7 + 0) # encode bit in cache (0: slow, 1: fast)
SLOW:
[...]
After running this, the program can time the access to *(r7 + 0) to
determine whether the chosen pointer bit was 0 or 1. Repeat this 64
times to recover the whole address on amd64.
In summary, sanitization can only be skipped if one scalar is
overwritten with another scalar. Scalar-confusion due to speculative
store bypass can not lead to invalid accesses because the pointer
bounds deducted during verification are enforced using branchless
logic. See 979d63d50c0c ("bpf: prevent out of bounds speculation on
pointer arithmetic") for details.
Do not make the mitigation depend on !env->allow_{uninit_stack,ptr_leaks}
because speculative leaks are likely unexpected if these were enabled.
For example, leaking the address to a protected log file may be acceptable
while disabling the mitigation might unintentionally leak the address
into the cached-state of a map that is accessible to unprivileged
processes.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 4.19.207 – < 4.19.272, 5.4.146 – < 5.4.231, 5.10.56 – < 5.10.166, 5.13.8 – < 5.14, 5.14 | 4.19.272 |
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 | 6.1.11-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | linux | 6.1.11-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | linux | 6.1.11-1 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Nvidia-BlueField 22.04 LTS | linux-bluefield | 5.15.0-1015.17 | — |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-realtime +1 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux +1 | 5.15.0-70.77 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-aws | 5.15.0-1034.38 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-azure | 5.15.0-1036.43 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-azure-fde | 5.15.0-1036.43.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-gcp | 5.15.0-1032.40 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-gke +1 | 5.15.0-1031.36 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-gkeop | 5.15.0-1018.23 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-ibm | 5.15.0-1028.31 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-intel-iotg | 5.15.0-1028.33 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-nvidia | 5.15.0-1023.23 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-oracle | 5.15.0-1033.39 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-raspi | 5.15.0-1027.29 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-riscv +31 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux | 5.4.0-147.164 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-aws | 5.4.0-1100.108 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-aws-5.15 | 5.15.0-1034.38~20.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-azure | 5.4.0-1106.112 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-azure-5.15 | 5.15.0-1036.43~20.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-bluefield | 5.4.0-1062.68 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-gcp | 5.4.0-1103.112 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-gcp-5.15 | 5.15.0-1032.40~20.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-gke +28 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-hwe-5.15 +1 | 5.15.0-70.77~20.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-ibm | 5.4.0-1047.52 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-intel-iotg-5.15 | 5.15.0-1030.35~20.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-iot | 5.4.0-1017.18 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-kvm | 5.4.0-1089.95 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-nvidia-tegra-5.15 | 5.15.0-1014.14~20.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-oracle | 5.4.0-1099.108 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-oracle-5.15 | 5.15.0-1033.39~20.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-raspi | 5.4.0-1083.94 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-riscv-5.15 | 5.15.0-1031.35~20.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-xilinx-zynqmp | 5.4.0-1024.28 | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-aws-5.4 | 5.4.0-1100.108~18.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-azure-5.4 | 5.4.0-1106.112~18.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-gcp +14 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-gcp-5.4 | 5.4.0-1103.112~18.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-hwe-5.4 | 5.4.0-147.164~18.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-ibm-5.4 | 5.4.0-1047.52~18.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-oracle-5.4 | 5.4.0-1099.108~18.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-raspi-5.4 | 5.4.0-1083.94~18.04.1 | — |
Show 3 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-hwe-edge | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro Realtime 22.04 LTS | linux-intel-iot-realtime | 5.15.0-1024.29 | — |
| Ubuntu Pro Realtime 22.04 LTS | linux-realtime | 5.15.0-1036.39 | — |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 20.04 LTS | linux-aws-fips | 5.4.0-1100.108+fips1 | — |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 20.04 LTS | linux-azure-fips | 5.4.0-1106.112+fips1 | — |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 20.04 LTS | linux-fips | 5.4.0-1075.84 | — |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 20.04 LTS | linux-gcp-fips | 5.4.0-1103.112+fips1 | — |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 9 | bpftool | 7.2.0-362.8.1.el9_3 | RHSA-2023:6583 |
| RHEL 9 | rv +64 | 5.14.0-362.8.1.el9_3 | RHSA-2023:6583 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 15 SP5 | kernel-64kb +6 | 5.14.21-150500.55.100.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1241-1 |
| SLES 15 SP5 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150500.55.100.1.150500.6.47.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1241-1 |
| SLES 15 SP4 | kernel-64kb +6 | 5.14.21-150400.24.161.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1195-1 |
| SLES 15 SP4 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.161.1.150400.24.80.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1195-1 |
| SLES 15 SP3 | kernel-64kb +7 | 5.3.18-150300.59.201.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 |
| SLES 15 SP3 | kernel-default-base | 5.3.18-150300.59.201.1.150300.18.120.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 |
| SLES 12 SP5 | kernel-syms +2 | 4.12.14-122.255.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1293-1 |
Show 18 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 15 SP5 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150500.55.100.1.150500.6.47.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1241-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP5 | kernel-docs +4 | 5.14.21-150500.55.100.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1241-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP4 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.161.1.150400.24.80.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1195-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP4 | kernel-docs +4 | 5.14.21-150400.24.161.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1195-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP3 | kernel-default-base | 5.3.18-150300.59.201.1.150300.18.120.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP3 | kernel-docs +5 | 5.3.18-150300.59.201.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.5 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150500.55.100.1.150500.6.47.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1241-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.5 | kernel-rt +1 | 5.14.21-150500.13.91.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1176-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.5 | kernel-source +1 | 5.14.21-150500.55.100.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1241-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.4 | kernel-default | 5.14.21-150400.24.161.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1195-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.4 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.161.1.150400.24.80.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1195-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.4 | kernel-rt +1 | 5.14.21-150400.15.115.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1183-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.3 | kernel-default | 5.14.21-150400.24.161.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1195-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.3 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.161.1.150400.24.80.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1195-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.3 | kernel-rt +1 | 5.14.21-150400.15.115.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1183-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.2 | kernel-default | 5.3.18-150300.59.201.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.2 | kernel-default-base | 5.3.18-150300.59.201.1.150300.18.120.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.2 | kernel-rt +1 | 5.3.18-150300.205.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1194-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.1 | kernel-default | 5.3.18-150300.59.201.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.1 | kernel-default-base | 5.3.18-150300.59.201.1.150300.18.120.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.1 | kernel-rt +1 | 5.3.18-150300.205.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1194-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP5 | kernel-default | 5.14.21-150500.55.100.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1241-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP5 | kernel-livepatch-SLE15-SP5_Update_25 | 1-150500.11.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1241-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP4 | kernel-default | 5.14.21-150400.24.161.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1195-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP4 | kernel-livepatch-SLE15-SP4_Update_39 | 1-150400.9.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1195-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP3 | kernel-default | 5.3.18-150300.59.201.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP3 | kernel-livepatch-SLE15-SP3_Update_56 | 1-150300.7.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 12 SP5 | kernel-default | 4.12.14-122.255.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1293-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 12 SP5 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP5_Update_67 | 1-8.5.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1293-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP5 | kernel-64kb +5 | 5.14.21-150500.55.100.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1241-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP5 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150500.55.100.1.150500.6.47.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1241-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP4 | kernel-64kb +5 | 5.14.21-150400.24.161.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1195-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP4 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.161.1.150400.24.80.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1195-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP3 | kernel-64kb +6 | 5.3.18-150300.59.201.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP3 | kernel-default-base | 5.3.18-150300.59.201.1.150300.18.120.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server 4.3 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.161.1.150400.24.80.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1195-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server 4.3 | kernel-syms +3 | 5.14.21-150400.24.161.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1195-1 |
| SUSE Manager Proxy 4.3 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.161.1.150400.24.80.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1195-1 |
| SUSE Manager Proxy 4.3 | kernel-syms +2 | 5.14.21-150400.24.161.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1195-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 7.1 | kernel-64kb +6 | 5.3.18-150300.59.201.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 7.1 | kernel-default-base | 5.3.18-150300.59.201.1.150300.18.120.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 |
Advisories 9
- RHSA-2023:6583 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Oct 17, 2026
- WID-SEC-2025-0649 Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Sep 3, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2025:1194-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2025:1176-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2025:1241-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2025:1183-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2025:1195-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2025:1293-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2025:1263-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Apr 16, 2025
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/aae109414a57ab4164218f36e2e4a17f027fcaaa
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/81b3374944d201872cfcf82730a7860f8e7c31dd
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/da75dec7c6617bddad418159ffebcb133f008262
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/01bdcc73dbe7be3ad4d4ee9a59b71e42f461a528
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b0c89ef025562161242a7c19b213bd6b272e93df
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e4f4db47794c9f474b184ee1418f42e6a07412b6