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CVE Record

CVE-2020-36310: An issue was discovered in the Linux kernel before 5.8.

An issue was discovered in the Linux kernel before 5.8. arch/x86/kvm/svm/svm.c allows a set_memory_region_test infinite loop for certain nested page faults, aka CID-e72436bc3a52.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2020-36310 is a Linux kernel issue in the x86 KVM/SVM virtualization path before kernel 5.8. The reported impact is an infinite loop triggered by certain nested page faults. Business concern is availability for affected virtualization hosts, but the source bundle provides no CVSS score or confirmed exploitation evidence.

Executive priority

Treat as a targeted availability risk for older Linux virtualization infrastructure. Prioritize confirmation on KVM hosts running kernels before 5.8, but avoid emergency escalation unless vendor guidance or local exposure shows affected systems remain unpatched.

Technical view

The issue is described in arch/x86/kvm/svm/svm.c before Linux 5.8 and is associated with kernel commit e72436bc3a52. The vulnerable behavior involves set_memory_region_test entering an infinite loop for certain nested page faults. The available sources do not provide a CWE, CVSS vector, or detailed attack prerequisites.

Likely exposure

Likely exposure is limited to systems running Linux kernel versions before 5.8 with the relevant x86 KVM/SVM virtualization code path. The bundle does not identify specific downstream package versions, cloud images, or appliance products beyond the Debian advisory reference.

Exploitation context

CISA KEV status is false, and the provided sources do not state active exploitation or public exploit availability. The described failure mode suggests availability risk from an infinite loop, but the bundle does not prove remote reachability or practical exploitability.

Researcher notes

Evidence is sparse: no CVSS, CWE, exploit status, or detailed prerequisites are provided. Analysis should focus on kernel lineage, downstream backports, and whether affected KVM/SVM nested page fault handling is reachable in the organization’s virtualization configuration.

Mitigation direction

  • Check current vendor kernel advisories for fixed package versions.
  • Upgrade affected Linux kernels to a vendor-supported fixed release.
  • Prioritize virtualization hosts using KVM/SVM on pre-5.8 kernels.
  • Review Debian DSA-5095 if Debian systems are in scope.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across virtualization hosts.
  • Identify hosts using x86 KVM/SVM virtualization features.
  • Confirm whether kernels include commit e72436bc3a52 or vendor backport.
  • Check Debian systems against DSA-5095 package guidance.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
4Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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