CVE-2023-53756 Details
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: KVM: VMX: Fix crash due to uninitialized current_vmcs KVM enables 'Enlightened VMCS' and 'Enlightened MSR Bitmap' when running as a nested hypervisor on top of Hyper-V. When MSR bitmap is updated, evmcs_touch_msr_bitmap function uses current_vmcs per-cpu variable to mark that the msr bitmap was changed. vmx_vcpu_create() modifies the msr bitmap via vmx_disable_intercept_for_msr -> vmx_msr_bitmap_l01_changed which in the end calls this function. The function checks for current_vmcs if it is null but the check is insufficient because current_vmcs is not initialized. Because of this, the code might incorrectly write to the structure pointed by current_vmcs value left by another task. Preemption is not disabled, the current task can be preempted and moved to another CPU while current_vmcs is accessed multiple times from evmcs_touch_msr_bitmap() which leads to crash. The manipulation of MSR bitmaps by callers happens only for vmcs01 so the solution is to use vmx->vmcs01.vmcs instead of current_vmcs. BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000338 PGD 4e1775067 P4D 0 Oops: 0002 [#1] PREEMPT SMP NOPTI ... RIP: 0010:vmx_msr_bitmap_l01_changed+0x39/0x50 [kvm_intel] ... Call Trace: vmx_disable_intercept_for_msr+0x36/0x260 [kvm_intel] vmx_vcpu_create+0xe6/0x540 [kvm_intel] kvm_arch_vcpu_create+0x1d1/0x2e0 [kvm] kvm_vm_ioctl_create_vcpu+0x178/0x430 [kvm] kvm_vm_ioctl+0x53f/0x790 [kvm] __x64_sys_ioctl+0x8a/0xc0 do_syscall_64+0x5c/0x90 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x63/0xcd
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) module can lead to a crash when running as a nested hypervisor on top of Hyper-V. This issue arises from the 'Enlightened VMCS' and 'Enlightened MSR Bitmap' features. When the MSR (Model Specific Register) bitmap is updated, the function responsible for handling this change uses a per-CPU variable to reference the current VMCS. However, this variable can be uninitialized, leading to a NULL pointer dereference. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that task preemption is not disabled, allowing the current task to be interrupted and moved to another CPU, where the uninitialized variable is accessed multiple times, causing a crash.
The vulnerability has been fixed in the Linux kernel. Users should upgrade to the latest version.
Metrics
CVSS 4.0 Severity and Vector Strings:
CVSS 3.x Severity and Vector Strings:
No data available for CVSS Version 2.0 on this CVE.
Volerion
Assessed Dec 8, 2025References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
By selecting these links, you will be leaving this site. These are references gathered from the official CVE record and are not endorsed by Volerion.
| URL | Source(s) | Tag(s) |
|---|---|---|
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3ba95cc671c025d0d2a1c7d5e2930f0ff0980cf4 | kernel.org | Source CodeVendor |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6baebcecf09acd19e2bab1c2911dcdba5d48a1dc | kernel.org | Source CodeVendor |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6e7bc50f97c9855da83f1478f722590defd45ff2 | kernel.org | Source CodeVendor |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/93827a0a36396f2fd6368a54a020f420c8916e9b | kernel.org | Source CodeVendor |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b2de2b4d4e007f9add46ea8dc06f781835e3ea9f | kernel.org | Source CodeVendor |
Weakness Enumeration
No weakness enumeration is available for this CVE.
Affected Products
| Product | Versions |
|---|---|
| Linux kernel | All versions |
CPE
Remediation
| |
| KVM | All versions |
CPE
Remediation
| |
Change History
2 change records found show changes
| Date | Action | Recorded By |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 17, 2026 | CVE Modified | kernel.org |
| Dec 8, 2025 | New CVE Received | kernel.org |
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