In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
mm: gup: stop abusing try_grab_folio
A kernel warning was reported when pinning folio in CMA memory when
launching SEV virtual machine. The splat looks like:
[ 464.325306] WARNING: CPU: 13 PID: 6734 at mm/gup.c:1313 __get_user_pages+0x423/0x520
[ 464.325464] CPU: 13 PID: 6734 Comm: qemu-kvm Kdump: loaded Not tainted 6.6.33+ #6
[ 464.325477] RIP: 0010:__get_user_pages+0x423/0x520
[ 464.325515] Call Trace:
[ 464.325520] <TASK>
[ 464.325523] ? __get_user_pages+0x423/0x520
[ 464.325528] ? __warn+0x81/0x130
[ 464.325536] ? __get_user_pages+0x423/0x520
[ 464.325541] ? report_bug+0x171/0x1a0
[ 464.325549] ? handle_bug+0x3c/0x70
[ 464.325554] ? exc_invalid_op+0x17/0x70
[ 464.325558] ? asm_exc_invalid_op+0x1a/0x20
[ 464.325567] ? __get_user_pages+0x423/0x520
[ 464.325575] __gup_longterm_locked+0x212/0x7a0
[ 464.325583] internal_get_user_pages_fast+0xfb/0x190
[ 464.325590] pin_user_pages_fast+0x47/0x60
[ 464.325598] sev_pin_memory+0xca/0x170 [kvm_amd]
[ 464.325616] sev_mem_enc_register_region+0x81/0x130 [kvm_amd]
Per the analysis done by yangge, when starting the SEV virtual machine, it
will call pin_user_pages_fast(..., FOLL_LONGTERM, ...) to pin the memory.
But the page is in CMA area, so fast GUP will fail then fallback to the
slow path due to the longterm pinnalbe check in try_grab_folio().
The slow path will try to pin the pages then migrate them out of CMA area.
But the slow path also uses try_grab_folio() to pin the page, it will
also fail due to the same check then the above warning is triggered.
In addition, the try_grab_folio() is supposed to be used in fast path and
it elevates folio refcount by using add ref unless zero. We are guaranteed
to have at least one stable reference in slow path, so the simple atomic add
could be used. The performance difference should be trivial, but the
misuse may be confusing and misleading.
Redefined try_grab_folio() to try_grab_folio_fast(), and try_grab_page()
to try_grab_folio(), and use them in the proper paths. This solves both
the abuse and the kernel warning.
The proper naming makes their usecase more clear and should prevent from
abusing in the future.
peterx said:
: The user will see the pin fails, for gpu-slow it further triggers the WARN
: right below that failure (as in the original report):
:
: folio = try_grab_folio(page, page_increm - 1,
: foll_flags);
: if (WARN_ON_ONCE(!folio)) { <------------------------ here
: /*
: * Release the 1st page ref if the
: * folio is problematic, fail hard.
: */
: gup_put_folio(page_folio(page), 1,
: foll_flags);
: ret = -EFAULT;
: goto out;
: }
[1] https://lore.kernel.org/linux-mm/1719478388-31917-1-git-send-email-yangge1116@126.com/
[shy828301@gmail.com: fix implicit declaration of function try_grab_folio_fast]
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Linux kernel issue can cause memory pinning to fail and trigger a kernel warning when launching AMD SEV virtual machines using memory in CMA areas. The source describes an operational reliability problem, not confirmed data theft or remote compromise.
Executive priority
Treat this as a targeted infrastructure reliability fix for SEV virtualization hosts, not a broad emergency. Patch during the next appropriate kernel maintenance window, sooner where SEV VM launches are failing or warnings are appearing.
Technical view
The bug is in get_user_pages memory pinning. A slow path reused a fast-path helper, causing long-term pinning of CMA-backed folios to fail during SEV/KVM memory registration and reach a WARN_ON path. The fix separates fast and slow helper semantics.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on Linux systems running affected 6.6 or 6.10 kernel lines and hosting AMD SEV virtual machines through KVM. Systems not using this SEV/CMA memory-pinning path appear less likely to encounter impact based on the source bundle.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not show active exploitation, public exploit code, KEV listing, or remote attack mechanics. The described trigger is launching an SEV virtual machine that pins memory in CMA-backed pages, leading to failure and a kernel warning.
Researcher notes
Evidence is limited to the CVE record and Linux stable commit references. No CVSS, CWE, exploit status, or vendor-specific distro package mapping is provided. Validate affected range and fixed package versions through the relevant Linux distribution.
Mitigation direction
Update to a kernel package containing the referenced stable fixes.
Confirm distribution advisories or changelogs mention CVE-2024-44943.
Prioritize SEV/KVM virtualization hosts on affected Linux kernel lines.
If patch status is unclear, request vendor guidance before deploying changes.
Monitor affected hosts for related kernel warnings during SEV VM launches.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux kernel versions on SEV/KVM virtualization hosts.
Check whether the referenced stable commits are included or backported.
Review logs for __get_user_pages, pin_user_pages_fast, and sev_pin_memory warnings.
Test SEV VM launch behavior after applying the vendor kernel update.
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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ATT&CK lookup starting points
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CVE-2024-44943 mapping review
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