Use After Free in Linux Kernel

CVE-2021-29657

arch/x86/kvm/svm/nested.c in the Linux kernel before 5.11.12 has a use-after-free in which an AMD KVM guest can bypass access control on host OS MSRs when there are nested guests, aka CID-a58d9166a756. This occurs because of a TOCTOU race condition associated with a VMCB12 double fetch in nested_svm_vmrun.

Vulnerability class: TOCTOU (Time-of-Check to Time-of-Use)

EPSS: 0.004 (33.8th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.

CVSS v3 metric

CVSS v3 base score 7.4 (High). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.

Affected products

Weakness classification (CWE)

Public proof-of-concept exploits

References

  • cve@mitre.org (VDB Entry, Third Party Advisory, x_refsource_MISC)
  • cve@mitre.org (Exploit, Patch, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory, x_refsource_MISC)
  • cve@mitre.org (x_refsource_CONFIRM, Patch, Third Party Advisory)
  • cve@mitre.org (x_refsource_CONFIRM, Exploit, Patch, Vendor Advisory)
  • cve@mitre.org (x_refsource_CONFIRM, Third Party Advisory)

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-29657?
CVE-2021-29657 is a high-severity vulnerability in Linux Kernel, classified under Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) Race Condition. CVSS score: 7.4/10. Published 2021-07-22.
How severe is CVE-2021-29657?
High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 7.4 out of 10.
Is CVE-2021-29657 known to be exploited?
16 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed. Not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.