CVE-2022-49886

Medium

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: x86/tdx: Panic on bad configs that #VE on "private" memory access All normal kernel memory is "TDX private memory". This includes everything from kernel stacks to kernel text. Handling exceptions on arbitrary accesses to kernel memory is essentially impossible because they can happen in horribly nasty places like kernel entry/exit. But, TDX hardware can theoretically _deliver_ a virtualization exception (#VE) on any access to private memory. But, it's not as bad as it sounds. TDX can be configured to never deliver these exceptions on private memory with a "TD attribute" called ATTR_SEPT_VE_DISABLE. The guest has no way to *set* this attribute, but it can check it. Ensure ATTR_SEPT_VE_DISABLE is set in early boot. panic() if it is unset. There is no sane way for Linux to run with this attribute clear so a panic() is appropriate. There's small window during boot before the check where kernel has an early #VE handler. But the handler is only for port I/O and will also panic() as soon as it sees any other #VE, such as a one generated by a private memory access. [ dhansen: Rewrite changelog and rebase on new tdx_parse_tdinfo(). Add Kirill's tested-by because I made changes since he wrote this. ]

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2025-05-01
Last modified 2025-11-10
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

5.5

out of 10
Medium
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
Low
Integrity
None
Availability
High
Vector string
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 5.19 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.0.8, 6.1 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 5.19
Fixed in
✓ 6.0.8 6.0.x ✓ 6.1

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2022-49886 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2022-49886?

    CVE-2022-49886 is a Medium severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10 . It affects Linux kernel versions from 5.19 onward and has been patched in 6.0.8 and 6.1. CVE-2022-49886 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2022-49886?

    CVE-2022-49886 has a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10, rated Medium severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2022-49886?

    Yes — CVE-2022-49886 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.0.8 and 6.1. If you are running Linux kernel 5.19 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2022-49886 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2022-49886 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.