CVE-2025-38508

Medium

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: x86/sev: Use TSC_FACTOR for Secure TSC frequency calculation When using Secure TSC, the GUEST_TSC_FREQ MSR reports a frequency based on the nominal P0 frequency, which deviates slightly (typically ~0.2%) from the actual mean TSC frequency due to clocking parameters. Over extended VM uptime, this discrepancy accumulates, causing clock skew between the hypervisor and a SEV-SNP VM, leading to early timer interrupts as perceived by the guest. The guest kernel relies on the reported nominal frequency for TSC-based timekeeping, while the actual frequency set during SNP_LAUNCH_START may differ. This mismatch results in inaccurate time calculations, causing the guest to perceive hrtimers as firing earlier than expected. Utilize the TSC_FACTOR from the SEV firmware's secrets page (see "Secrets Page Format" in the SNP Firmware ABI Specification) to calculate the mean TSC frequency, ensuring accurate timekeeping and mitigating clock skew in SEV-SNP VMs. Use early_ioremap_encrypted() to map the secrets page as ioremap_encrypted() uses kmalloc() which is not available during early TSC initialization and causes a panic. [ bp: Drop the silly dummy var: https://lore.kernel.org/r/20250630192726.GBaGLlHl84xIopx4Pt@fat_crate.local ]

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2025-08-16
Last modified 2025-11-19
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 6.14 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.15.7, 6.16 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 6.14
Fixed in
✓ 6.15.7 6.15.x ✓ 6.16

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2025-38508 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-2025-38508?

    CVE-2025-38508 is a Medium severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10 . It affects Linux kernel versions from 6.14 onward and has been patched in 6.15.7 and 6.16. CVE-2025-38508 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2025-38508?

    CVE-2025-38508 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-2025-38508?

    Yes — CVE-2025-38508 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.15.7 and 6.16. If you are running Linux kernel 6.14 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2025-38508 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2025-38508 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.