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CVE Record

CVE-2026-23425: KVM: arm64: Fix ID register initialization for non-protected pKVM guests

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: KVM: arm64: Fix ID register initialization for non-protected pKVM guests In protected mode, the hypervisor maintains a separate instance of the `kvm` structure for each VM. For non-protected VMs, this structure is initialized from the host's `kvm` state. Currently, `pkvm_init_features_from_host()` copies the `KVM_ARCH_FLAG_ID_REGS_INITIALIZED` flag from the host without the underlying `id_regs` data being initialized. This results in the hypervisor seeing the flag as set while the ID registers remain zeroed. Consequently, `kvm_has_feat()` checks at EL2 fail (return 0) for non-protected VMs. This breaks logic that relies on feature detection, such as `ctxt_has_tcrx()` for TCR2_EL1 support. As a result, certain system registers (e.g., TCR2_EL1, PIR_EL1, POR_EL1) are not saved/restored during the world switch, which could lead to state corruption. Fix this by explicitly copying the ID registers from the host `kvm` to the hypervisor `kvm` for non-protected VMs during initialization, since we trust the host with its non-protected guests' features. Also ensure `KVM_ARCH_FLAG_ID_REGS_INITIALIZED` is cleared initially in `pkvm_init_features_from_host` so that `vm_copy_id_regs` can properly initialize them and set the flag once done.

HighCVSS 8.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A flaw in Arm64 Linux virtualization can mishandle processor feature information for non-protected guests running under protected KVM. Important guest register state may then be omitted during context switches, potentially causing corruption and affecting confidentiality, integrity, or availability.

Executive priority

Treat as a high-priority, configuration-specific infrastructure update. Identify exposed Arm64 virtualization hosts promptly and schedule corrected kernels through normal emergency patching controls. Systems outside the described pKVM and non-protected guest scenario are not established as exposed by this bundle.

Technical view

pKVM copied the ID-register-initialized flag from the host KVM structure without copying the underlying ID registers. EL2 feature checks therefore returned false, potentially preventing registers including TCR2_EL1, PIR_EL1, and POR_EL1 from being saved and restored. The stable fixes copy the registers and correctly sequence the initialization flag.

Likely exposure

Exposure is concentrated on Arm64 Linux KVM hosts using pKVM with non-protected guests. The bundle lists Linux 6.14, 6.18.17, 6.19.7, and 7.0 as affected. Its isolated โ€œ0โ€ version entry is ambiguous and should not be interpreted as an affected range without vendor confirmation.

Exploitation context

The CVSS 3.1 assessment is 8.8 and describes local access, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, changed scope, and high potential impact. The bundle reports no CISA KEV listing and provides no evidence of active exploitation or a public exploit.

Researcher notes

The reported failure is inconsistent initialization between host and hypervisor KVM structures, not a documented guest escape. The supplied assessment assigns no CWE. Fixes exist in three stable commits, but the bundle does not map each commit to a specific release branch; confirm branch applicability through distributor guidance.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply a vendor kernel release incorporating the applicable upstream stable fix.
  • Prioritize Arm64 KVM hosts using pKVM with non-protected guests.
  • Consult the Linux distributor for exact affected and corrected package versions.
  • Follow vendor guidance if immediate kernel replacement is operationally impossible.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Arm64 virtualization hosts and identify pKVM use with non-protected guests.
  • Compare running kernel packages with distributor advisories and the cited stable fixes.
  • Confirm updated hosts boot the corrected kernel before returning workloads to service.
  • Monitor guests for unexplained state corruption or instability; absence of symptoms does not prove safety.
Prepared
Confidence
high
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

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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CVE-2026-23425 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
8.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/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
0ADP providers
4Source links

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
8.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H26Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

8.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2026-23425Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux41d6028e28bd474298ff10409c292ec46cf43a90, 41d6028e28bd474298ff10409c292ec46cf43a90, 41d6028e28bd474298ff10409c292ec46cf43a90unaffected
LinuxLinux6.14, 0, 6.18.17, 6.19.7, 7.0affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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