Evidence-led vulnerability intelligence · 2026-05-13 21:46 IST

CVE-2026-43483

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: KVM: SVM: Set/clear CR8 write interception when AVIC is (de)activated Explicitly set/clear CR8 write interception when AVIC is (de)activated to fix a bug where KVM leaves the interception enabled after AVIC is activated. E.g. if KVM emulates INIT=>WFS while AVIC is deactivated, CR8 will remain intercepted in perpetuity. On its own, the dangling CR8 intercept is "just" a performance issue, but combined with the TPR sync bug fixed by commit d02e48830e3f ("KVM: SVM: Sync TPR from LAPIC into VMCB::V_TPR even if AVIC is active"), the danging intercept is fatal to Windows guests as the TPR seen by hardware gets wildly out of sync with reality. Note, VMX isn't affected by the bug as TPR_THRESHOLD is explicitly ignored when Virtual Interrupt Delivery is enabled, i.e. when APICv is active in KVM's world. I.e. there's no need to trigger update_cr8_intercept(), this is firmly an SVM implementation flaw/detail. WARN if KVM gets a CR8 write #VMEXIT while AVIC is active, as KVM should never enter the guest with AVIC enabled and CR8 writes intercepted. [Squash fix to avic_deactivate_vmcb. - Paolo]

MEDIUM · 5.5LinuxWindows

Executive briefing

The source record describes: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: KVM: SVM: Set/clear CR8 write interception when AVIC is (de)activated Explicitly set/clear CR8 write interception when AVIC is (de)activated to fix a bug where KVM leaves the interception enabled after AVIC is activated. E.g. if KVM emulates INIT=>WFS while AVIC is deactivated, CR8 will remain intercepted in perpetuity. On its own, the dangling CR8 intercept is "just" a performance issue, but combined with the TPR sync bug fixed by commit d02e48830e3f ("KVM: SVM: Sync TPR from LAPIC into VMCB::V_TPR even if AVIC is active"), the danging intercept is fatal to Windows guests as the TPR seen by hardware gets wildly out of sync with reality. Note, VMX isn't affected by the bug as TPR_THRESHOLD is explicitly ignored when Virtual Interrupt Delivery is enabled, i.e. when APICv is active in KVM's world. I.e. there's no need to trigger update_cr8_intercept(), this is firmly an SVM implementation flaw/detail. WARN if KVM gets a CR8 write #VMEXIT while AVIC is active, as KVM should never enter the guest with AVIC enabled and CR8 writes intercepted. [Squash fix to avic_deactivate_vmcb. - Paolo] The practical risk depends on whether an affected product/version is present, reachable and configured in an exploitable way. Review the affected-product evidence and linked vendor advisories before assigning exposure status.

Assessment: Potential exposure only — validate the installed product, exact version, configuration and vendor applicability before treating an asset as confirmed vulnerable.

Evidence confidence: Moderate Evidence-derived, not an exploitability verdict

Severity & attack characteristics

5.5 / 10 · 3.1

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

Attack vectorL
Attack complexityL
Privileges requiredL
User interactionN
ScopeU
Confidentiality impactN
Integrity impactN
Availability impactH

Technical explanation & impact

The technical mechanism is not expanded beyond the source description unless a referenced advisory supplies additional evidence. Read the linked vendor/CERT advisories for root-cause detail.

Potential impact must be interpreted from the published CVSS impact metrics and the affected component. A CVSS impact score is not proof that a particular asset is exploitable.

Weakness classification

NVD-CWE-noinfo

Affected products and versions

Products below are parsed from NVD vulnerable CPE configuration entries. Version boundaries are shown as published; verify applicability with the vendor.

VendorProductVersion evidence
linuxlinux_kernelfrom (inclusive) 6.19; before 6.19.9 · CPE version 7.0 · CPE version 7.0 · CPE version 7.0

Remediation & validation

  1. Identify exposure by comparing the affected product and version ranges with your asset inventory, SBOM and externally exposed services.
  2. Review the linked vendor security advisory or patch notes. Upgrade to a vendor-confirmed fixed release; do not infer a fixed version from the CVE description.
  3. Until patched, consider restricting network access or disabling the affected feature where operationally safe. These are temporary controls, not a substitute for a vendor fix.
  4. Validate the remediation with a version check and vulnerability rescan, then retain change evidence.

No fixed version is displayed unless it is explicitly established by a vendor advisory. Follow the vendor's release notes for exact product and branch applicability.

Vendor advisories, patches & exploit references

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Threat intelligence, made actionable · CVE data sourced from the NVD