CVE-2025-22013: KVM: arm64: Unconditionally save+flush host FPSIMD/SVE/SME state
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
KVM: arm64: Unconditionally save+flush host FPSIMD/SVE/SME state
There are several problems with the way hyp code lazily saves the host's
FPSIMD/SVE state, including:
* Host SVE being discarded unexpectedly due to inconsistent
configuration of TIF_SVE and CPACR_ELx.ZEN. This has been seen to
result in QEMU crashes where SVE is used by memmove(), as reported by
Eric Auger:
https://issues.redhat.com/browse/RHEL-68997
* Host SVE state is discarded *after* modification by ptrace, which was an
unintentional ptrace ABI change introduced with lazy discarding of SVE state.
* The host FPMR value can be discarded when running a non-protected VM,
where FPMR support is not exposed to a VM, and that VM uses
FPSIMD/SVE. In these cases the hyp code does not save the host's FPMR
before unbinding the host's FPSIMD/SVE/SME state, leaving a stale
value in memory.
Avoid these by eagerly saving and "flushing" the host's FPSIMD/SVE/SME
state when loading a vCPU such that KVM does not need to save any of the
host's FPSIMD/SVE/SME state. For clarity, fpsimd_kvm_prepare() is
removed and the necessary call to fpsimd_save_and_flush_cpu_state() is
placed in kvm_arch_vcpu_load_fp(). As 'fpsimd_state' and 'fpmr_ptr'
should not be used, they are set to NULL; all uses of these will be
removed in subsequent patches.
Historical problems go back at least as far as v5.17, e.g. erroneous
assumptions about TIF_SVE being clear in commit:
8383741ab2e773a9 ("KVM: arm64: Get rid of host SVE tracking/saving")
... and so this eager save+flush probably needs to be backported to ALL
stable trees.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Linux kernel issue affects ARM64 hosts running KVM virtualization. The kernel could mishandle CPU floating-point/vector state when switching into a VM, causing host state loss or stale state. Reported impact includes QEMU crashes. The sources do not provide CVSS, confirmed exploitation, or a complete impact rating.
Executive priority
Treat as a targeted kernel maintenance priority for ARM64 virtualization infrastructure, not a confirmed emergency. Update affected KVM hosts through normal expedited kernel patching once vendor packages are available.
Technical view
KVM arm64 lazily saved host FPSIMD/SVE/SME state in ways that could discard host SVE state, alter ptrace-observable behavior, or lose FPMR state for non-protected VMs. The fix eagerly saves and flushes host FPSIMD/SVE/SME state during vCPU load.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most relevant to Linux ARM64 virtualization hosts using KVM on affected kernel lines. The bundle lists Linux versions including 6.2, 6.6.85, 6.12.21, 6.13.9, and 6.14, but range semantics are incomplete.
Exploitation context
The bundle states KEV is false and provides no cited evidence of active exploitation. The described symptoms are correctness and stability failures, including QEMU crashes, rather than a documented public exploit path.
Researcher notes
Evidence is limited to the CVE text and Linux stable references. No CWE, CVSS, exploit status, or complete affected-version ranges are provided. Analysis should stay tied to ARM64 KVM host state handling until vendor advisories clarify impact.
Mitigation direction
Check distribution or kernel vendor advisories for CVE-2025-22013 guidance.
Prioritize updates for ARM64 KVM hypervisors running affected kernel lines.
Apply stable kernel fixes that include the referenced KVM arm64 patches.
Monitor virtualization hosts for QEMU crashes or unusual SVE/FPSIMD-related failures.
Validation and detection
Inventory ARM64 Linux hosts running KVM virtualization.
Map running kernel versions to vendor advisories for CVE-2025-22013.
Confirm patched kernels include the referenced stable commits.
Review hypervisor logs for QEMU crashes mentioned in the source description.
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-2025-22013 mapping review
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0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
0ADP providers
7Source links
Vulnerability timeline
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CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
Apr 8, 2025, 08:18 UTC (UTC+00:00)
CVE updatedCVE Program
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