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CVE Record

CVE-2023-53208: KVM: nSVM: Load L1's TSC multiplier based on L1 state, not L2 state

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: KVM: nSVM: Load L1's TSC multiplier based on L1 state, not L2 state When emulating nested VM-Exit, load L1's TSC multiplier if L1's desired ratio doesn't match the current ratio, not if the ratio L1 is using for L2 diverges from the default. Functionally, the end result is the same as KVM will run L2 with L1's multiplier if L2's multiplier is the default, i.e. checking that L1's multiplier is loaded is equivalent to checking if L2 has a non-default multiplier. However, the assertion that TSC scaling is exposed to L1 is flawed, as userspace can trigger the WARN at will by writing the MSR and then updating guest CPUID to hide the feature (modifying guest CPUID is allowed anytime before KVM_RUN). E.g. hacking KVM's state_test selftest to do vcpu_set_msr(vcpu, MSR_AMD64_TSC_RATIO, 0); vcpu_clear_cpuid_feature(vcpu, X86_FEATURE_TSCRATEMSR); after restoring state in a new VM+vCPU yields an endless supply of: ------------[ cut here ]------------ WARNING: CPU: 10 PID: 206939 at arch/x86/kvm/svm/nested.c:1105 nested_svm_vmexit+0x6af/0x720 [kvm_amd] Call Trace: nested_svm_exit_handled+0x102/0x1f0 [kvm_amd] svm_handle_exit+0xb9/0x180 [kvm_amd] kvm_arch_vcpu_ioctl_run+0x1eab/0x2570 [kvm] kvm_vcpu_ioctl+0x4c9/0x5b0 [kvm] ? trace_hardirqs_off+0x4d/0xa0 __se_sys_ioctl+0x7a/0xc0 __x64_sys_ioctl+0x21/0x30 do_syscall_64+0x41/0x90 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x63/0xcd Unlike the nested VMRUN path, hoisting the svm->tsc_scaling_enabled check into the if-statement is wrong as KVM needs to ensure L1's multiplier is loaded in the above scenario. Alternatively, the WARN_ON() could simply be deleted, but that would make KVM's behavior even more subtle, e.g. it's not immediately obvious why it's safe to write MSR_AMD64_TSC_RATIO when checking only tsc_ratio_msr.

MediumCVSS 5.5Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2023-53208 is a Linux KVM issue in AMD nested virtualization handling. A local user with access to KVM can trigger repeated kernel warnings by manipulating guest CPU state before running a VM, creating an availability risk on affected hosts.

Executive priority

Prioritize shared virtualization hosts and CI infrastructure where local users or tenants can access KVM. Treat as a timely patching issue, not an emergency internet-exposed risk based on current evidence.

Technical view

The flaw is in KVM nSVM nested VM-exit TSC multiplier handling. KVM checked L2/default TSC state and asserted TSC scaling exposure to L1, but userspace could write MSR_AMD64_TSC_RATIO and later hide TSCRATEMSR in guest CPUID before KVM_RUN, triggering WARN in nested_svm_vmexit.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on Linux virtualization hosts using AMD KVM with nested virtualization and local or tenant-controlled access to KVM ioctls. Internet-facing services are not directly implicated by the provided sources.

Exploitation context

The CVSS vector is local, low complexity, low privilege, no user interaction, and high availability impact. KEV is false, and the provided sources do not report active exploitation in the wild.

Researcher notes

The source describes a reachable WARN caused by inconsistent MSR and CPUID state before KVM_RUN. The exact affected version ranges and distribution backports require vendor confirmation; do not assume all kernels in a numeric range remain vulnerable.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply Linux kernel updates that include the referenced stable fixes.
  • Check distribution vendor advisories for fixed kernel packages.
  • Restrict /dev/kvm access to trusted users and workloads.
  • Review whether nested virtualization is required on shared hosts.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux KVM hosts using AMD SVM nested virtualization.
  • Compare installed kernel builds against vendor fixed versions or stable commits.
  • Check whether the referenced KVM nSVM patch is present.
  • Review kernel logs for repeated nested_svm_vmexit WARN events.
  • Confirm untrusted users cannot create or control KVM VMs.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

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

Potential ATT&CK relevance

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CVE-2023-53208 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
5.5 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

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.

1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
1ADP providers
4Source links

SSVC decision data

CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: partial

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
5.5CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H1.83.6CISA-ADP

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

5.5Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2023-53208Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

ADP provider summaries

CISA-ADPCISA ADP Vulnrichment
cvssV3_1other:ssvc
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux5228eb96a4875f8cf5d61d486e3795ac14df8904, 5228eb96a4875f8cf5d61d486e3795ac14df8904, 5228eb96a4875f8cf5d61d486e3795ac14df8904unaffected
LinuxLinux5.16, 0, 6.1.54, 6.5.4, 6.6affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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