Описание
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
x86/cpu: Remove X86_CR4_FRED from the CR4 pinned bits mask
Commit in Fixes added the FRED CR4 bit to the CR4 pinned bits mask so
that whenever something else modifies CR4, that bit remains set. Which
in itself is a perfectly fine idea.
However, there's an issue when during boot FRED is initialized: first on
the BSP and later on the APs. Thus, there's a window in time when
exceptions cannot be handled.
This becomes particularly nasty when running as SEV-{ES,SNP} or TDX
guests which, when they manage to trigger exceptions during that short
window described above, triple fault due to FRED MSRs not being set up
yet.
See Link tag below for a much more detailed explanation of the
situation.
So, as a result, the commit in that Link URL tried to address this
shortcoming by temporarily disabling CR4 pinning when an AP is not
online yet.
However, that is a problem in itself because in this case, an attack on
the kernel needs to only modify the online bit - a single bit in RW
memory - and then disable CR4 pinning and then disable SM*P, leading to
more and worse things to happen to the system.
So, instead, remove the FRED bit from the CR4 pinning mask, thus
obviating the need to temporarily disable CR4 pinning.
If someone manages to disable FRED when poking at CR4, then
idt_invalidate() would make sure the system would crash'n'burn on the
first exception triggered, which is a much better outcome security-wise.
A flaw was found in the Linux kernel's handling of the CR4 pinned bits mask for FRED (Flexible Return and Event Delivery). An attacker could exploit this by modifying a specific bit in memory to disable CR4 pinning, potentially leading to a system crash. This vulnerability could result in a Denial of Service (DoS) for affected systems.
Отчет
This Moderate impact flaw in the Linux kernel's handling of the CR4 pinned bits mask for Flexible Return and Event Delivery (FRED) can lead to a denial of service. Specifically, during system boot, an attacker could manipulate a memory bit to disable CR4 pinning, causing a system crash. This issue primarily affects Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6, 10, and Red Hat In-Vehicle OS 2, particularly impacting SEV-{ES,SNP} or TDX virtualized guests during FRED initialization.
Меры по смягчению последствий
Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options do not meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base, or stability.
Затронутые пакеты
| Платформа | Пакет | Состояние | Рекомендация | Релиз |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 | kernel | Fix deferred | ||
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | kernel | Out of support scope | ||
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | kernel | Not affected | ||
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | kernel-rt | Not affected | ||
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | kernel | Not affected | ||
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | kernel-rt | Not affected | ||
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | kernel | Not affected | ||
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | kernel-rt | Not affected |
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Дополнительная информация
Статус:
EPSS
5.5 Medium
CVSS3
Связанные уязвимости
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: x86/cpu: Remove X86_CR4_FRED from the CR4 pinned bits mask Commit in Fixes added the FRED CR4 bit to the CR4 pinned bits mask so that whenever something else modifies CR4, that bit remains set. Which in itself is a perfectly fine idea. However, there's an issue when during boot FRED is initialized: first on the BSP and later on the APs. Thus, there's a window in time when exceptions cannot be handled. This becomes particularly nasty when running as SEV-{ES,SNP} or TDX guests which, when they manage to trigger exceptions during that short window described above, triple fault due to FRED MSRs not being set up yet. See Link tag below for a much more detailed explanation of the situation. So, as a result, the commit in that Link URL tried to address this shortcoming by temporarily disabling CR4 pinning when an AP is not online yet. However, that is a problem in itself because in this case, an attack on the kernel needs ...
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: x86/cpu: Remove X86_CR4_FRED from the CR4 pinned bits mask Commit in Fixes added the FRED CR4 bit to the CR4 pinned bits mask so that whenever something else modifies CR4, that bit remains set. Which in itself is a perfectly fine idea. However, there's an issue when during boot FRED is initialized: first on the BSP and later on the APs. Thus, there's a window in time when exceptions cannot be handled. This becomes particularly nasty when running as SEV-{ES,SNP} or TDX guests which, when they manage to trigger exceptions during that short window described above, triple fault due to FRED MSRs not being set up yet. See Link tag below for a much more detailed explanation of the situation. So, as a result, the commit in that Link URL tried to address this shortcoming by temporarily disabling CR4 pinning when an AP is not online yet. However, that is a problem in itself because in this case, an attack on the kernel ne
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: x ...
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: x86/cpu: Remove X86_CR4_FRED from the CR4 pinned bits mask Commit in Fixes added the FRED CR4 bit to the CR4 pinned bits mask so that whenever something else modifies CR4, that bit remains set. Which in itself is a perfectly fine idea. However, there's an issue when during boot FRED is initialized: first on the BSP and later on the APs. Thus, there's a window in time when exceptions cannot be handled. This becomes particularly nasty when running as SEV-{ES,SNP} or TDX guests which, when they manage to trigger exceptions during that short window described above, triple fault due to FRED MSRs not being set up yet. See Link tag below for a much more detailed explanation of the situation. So, as a result, the commit in that Link URL tried to address this shortcoming by temporarily disabling CR4 pinning when an AP is not online yet. However, that is a problem in itself because in this case, an attack on the kernel...
ELSA-2026-50372: Unbreakable Enterprise kernel security update (IMPORTANT)
EPSS
5.5 Medium
CVSS3