CVE-2026-23005: x86/fpu: Clear XSTATE_BV[i] in guest XSAVE state whenever XFD[i]=1
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
x86/fpu: Clear XSTATE_BV[i] in guest XSAVE state whenever XFD[i]=1
When loading guest XSAVE state via KVM_SET_XSAVE, and when updating XFD in
response to a guest WRMSR, clear XFD-disabled features in the saved (or to
be restored) XSTATE_BV to ensure KVM doesn't attempt to load state for
features that are disabled via the guest's XFD. Because the kernel
executes XRSTOR with the guest's XFD, saving XSTATE_BV[i]=1 with XFD[i]=1
will cause XRSTOR to #NM and panic the kernel.
E.g. if fpu_update_guest_xfd() sets XFD without clearing XSTATE_BV:
------------[ cut here ]------------
WARNING: arch/x86/kernel/traps.c:1524 at exc_device_not_available+0x101/0x110, CPU#29: amx_test/848
Modules linked in: kvm_intel kvm irqbypass
CPU: 29 UID: 1000 PID: 848 Comm: amx_test Not tainted 6.19.0-rc2-ffa07f7fd437-x86_amx_nm_xfd_non_init-vm #171 NONE
Hardware name: QEMU Standard PC (Q35 + ICH9, 2009), BIOS 0.0.0 02/06/2015
RIP: 0010:exc_device_not_available+0x101/0x110
Call Trace:
<TASK>
asm_exc_device_not_available+0x1a/0x20
RIP: 0010:restore_fpregs_from_fpstate+0x36/0x90
switch_fpu_return+0x4a/0xb0
kvm_arch_vcpu_ioctl_run+0x1245/0x1e40 [kvm]
kvm_vcpu_ioctl+0x2c3/0x8f0 [kvm]
__x64_sys_ioctl+0x8f/0xd0
do_syscall_64+0x62/0x940
entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x4b/0x53
</TASK>
---[ end trace 0000000000000000 ]---
This can happen if the guest executes WRMSR(MSR_IA32_XFD) to set XFD[18] = 1,
and a host IRQ triggers kernel_fpu_begin() prior to the vmexit handler's
call to fpu_update_guest_xfd().
and if userspace stuffs XSTATE_BV[i]=1 via KVM_SET_XSAVE:
------------[ cut here ]------------
WARNING: arch/x86/kernel/traps.c:1524 at exc_device_not_available+0x101/0x110, CPU#14: amx_test/867
Modules linked in: kvm_intel kvm irqbypass
CPU: 14 UID: 1000 PID: 867 Comm: amx_test Not tainted 6.19.0-rc2-2dace9faccd6-x86_amx_nm_xfd_non_init-vm #168 NONE
Hardware name: QEMU Standard PC (Q35 + ICH9, 2009), BIOS 0.0.0 02/06/2015
RIP: 0010:exc_device_not_available+0x101/0x110
Call Trace:
<TASK>
asm_exc_device_not_available+0x1a/0x20
RIP: 0010:restore_fpregs_from_fpstate+0x36/0x90
fpu_swap_kvm_fpstate+0x6b/0x120
kvm_load_guest_fpu+0x30/0x80 [kvm]
kvm_arch_vcpu_ioctl_run+0x85/0x1e40 [kvm]
kvm_vcpu_ioctl+0x2c3/0x8f0 [kvm]
__x64_sys_ioctl+0x8f/0xd0
do_syscall_64+0x62/0x940
entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x4b/0x53
</TASK>
---[ end trace 0000000000000000 ]---
The new behavior is consistent with the AMX architecture. Per Intel's SDM,
XSAVE saves XSTATE_BV as '0' for components that are disabled via XFD
(and non-compacted XSAVE saves the initial configuration of the state
component):
If XSAVE, XSAVEC, XSAVEOPT, or XSAVES is saving the state component i,
the instruction does not generate #NM when XCR0[i] = IA32_XFD[i] = 1;
instead, it operates as if XINUSE[i] = 0 (and the state component was
in its initial state): it saves bit i of XSTATE_BV field of the XSAVE
header as 0; in addition, XSAVE saves the initial configuration of the
state component (the other instructions do not save state component i).
Alternatively, KVM could always do XRSTOR with XFD=0, e.g. by using
a constant XFD based on the set of enabled features when XSAVEing for
a struct fpu_guest. However, having XSTATE_BV[i]=1 for XFD-disabled
features can only happen in the above interrupt case, or in similar
scenarios involving preemption on preemptible kernels, because
fpu_swap_kvm_fpstate()'s call to save_fpregs_to_fpstate() saves the
outgoing FPU state with the current XFD; and that is (on all but the
first WRMSR to XFD) the guest XFD.
Therefore, XFD can only go out of sync with XSTATE_BV in the above
interrupt case, or in similar scenarios involving preemption on
preemptible kernels, and it we can consider it (de facto) part of KVM
ABI that KVM_GET_XSAVE returns XSTATE_BV[i]=0 for XFD-disabled features.
[Move clea
---truncated---
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A flaw in Linux KVM’s handling of guest processor state can make the host kernel panic when disabled extended-state data is restored. The resulting impact is host-level denial of service, potentially disrupting every virtual machine on that host. The supplied evidence does not establish data theft, code execution, or active exploitation.
Executive priority
Schedule prompt remediation for affected KVM hosts, prioritizing shared or high-availability virtualization infrastructure because one kernel panic can interrupt multiple workloads. Treat this as an availability risk rather than a demonstrated compromise risk. Escalate urgency if vendor guidance confirms guest-triggerability in your deployed configuration.
Technical view
KVM can retain XSTATE_BV bits for features disabled through IA32_XFD. Restoring that inconsistent XSAVE state with XRSTOR can raise an unexpected device-not-available exception and panic the host kernel. The inconsistency may arise through KVM_SET_XSAVE or a timing window involving guest XFD updates, interrupts, or preemption. Referenced Linux stable commits clear the conflicting state bits.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to x86 Linux systems using KVM and affected kernels, particularly where guests use XFD-managed extended state such as AMX. Non-virtualization systems and hosts not using KVM are unlikely to encounter the described path. The supplied affected-version list is ambiguous and includes an unexplained “0,” so distribution-specific status requires confirmation.
Exploitation context
The source describes reproducible kernel-panic conditions involving guest XFD changes or userspace-provided XSAVE state. This supports denial-of-service potential but does not establish reliable malicious exploitation. The CVE is not listed as KEV in the supplied bundle, and no cited evidence reports exploitation in the wild.
Researcher notes
The core invariant is that XSTATE_BV[i] must be cleared whenever XFD[i] is set. The supplied description identifies both KVM_SET_XSAVE state injection and an interrupt/preemption synchronization window. No CVSS, CWE, complete version ranges, or exploit evidence is provided. The description is truncated, so branch-to-fix mapping should be taken from vendor or kernel records.
Mitigation direction
Apply the appropriate vendor-supported kernel update containing the referenced stable fix.
Check distribution and appliance advisories for backported fixes and exact affected-version boundaries.
Prioritize KVM hosts where guest workloads use AMX or other XFD-managed processor features.
If immediate patching is impossible, seek vendor-approved mitigations; none are specified in the supplied evidence.
Validation and detection
Inventory x86 virtualization hosts and confirm whether KVM modules are active.
Record each host’s kernel package, build, and distribution security-update status.
Verify vendor packages include the applicable referenced Linux stable commit or an equivalent backport.
Review kernel logs for device-not-available warnings, XRSTOR failures, KVM traces, or unexplained host panics.
Use controlled regression testing after updating; do not reproduce the panic on production hosts.
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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