KVM: Always flush async #PF workqueue when vCPU is being destroyed
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Denial of service
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 14 fixed, 2 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-400.
Summary
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: KVM: Always flush async #PF workqueue when vCPU is being destroyed Always flush the per-vCPU async #PF workqueue when a vCPU is clearing its completion queue, e.g. when a VM and all its vCPUs is being destroyed. KVM must ensure that none of its workqueue callbacks is running when the last reference to the KVM _module_ is put. Gifting a reference to the associated VM prevents the workqueue callback from dereferencing freed vCPU/VM memory, but does not prevent the KVM module from being unloaded before the callback completes. Drop the misguided VM refcount gifting, as calling kvm_put_kvm() from async_pf_execute() if kvm_put_kvm() flushes the async #PF workqueue will result in deadlock. async_pf_execute() can't return until kvm_put_kvm() finishes, and kvm_put_kvm() can't return until async_pf_execute() finishes: WARNING: CPU: 8 PID: 251 at virt/kvm/kvm_main.c:1435 kvm_put_kvm+0x2d/0x320 [kvm] Modules linked in: vhost_net vhost vhost_iotlb tap kvm_intel kvm irqbypass CPU: 8 PID: 251 Comm: kworker/8:1 Tainted: G W 6.6.0-rc1-e7af8d17224a-x86/gmem-vm #119 Hardware name: QEMU Standard PC (Q35 + ICH9, 2009), BIOS 0.0.0 02/06/2015 Workqueue: events async_pf_execute [kvm] RIP: 0010:kvm_put_kvm+0x2d/0x320 [kvm] Call Trace: <TASK> async_pf_execute+0x198/0x260 [kvm] process_one_work+0x145/0x2d0 worker_thread+0x27e/0x3a0 kthread+0xba/0xe0 ret_from_fork+0x2d/0x50 ret_from_fork_asm+0x11/0x20 </TASK> ---[ end trace 0000000000000000 ]--- INFO: task kworker/8:1:251 blocked for more than 120 seconds. Tainted: G W 6.6.0-rc1-e7af8d17224a-x86/gmem-vm #119 "echo 0 > /proc/sys/kernel/hung_task_timeout_secs" disables this message. task:kworker/8:1 state:D stack:0 pid:251 ppid:2 flags:0x00004000 Workqueue: events async_pf_execute [kvm] Call Trace: <TASK> __schedule+0x33f/0xa40 schedule+0x53/0xc0 schedule_timeout+0x12a/0x140 __wait_for_common+0x8d/0x1d0 __flush_work.isra.0+0x19f/0x2c0 kvm_clear_async_pf_completion_queue+0x129/0x190 [kvm] kvm_arch_destroy_vm+0x78/0x1b0 [kvm] kvm_put_kvm+0x1c1/0x320 [kvm] async_pf_execute+0x198/0x260 [kvm] process_one_work+0x145/0x2d0 worker_thread+0x27e/0x3a0 kthread+0xba/0xe0 ret_from_fork+0x2d/0x50 ret_from_fork_asm+0x11/0x20 </TASK> If kvm_clear_async_pf_completion_queue() actually flushes the workqueue, then there's no need to gift async_pf_execute() a reference because all invocations of async_pf_execute() will be forced to complete before the vCPU and its VM are destroyed/freed. And that in turn fixes the module unloading bug as __fput() won't do module_put() on the last vCPU reference until the vCPU has been freed, e.g. if closing the vCPU file also puts the last reference to the KVM module. Note that kvm_check_async_pf_completion() may also take the work item off the completion queue and so also needs to flush the work queue, as the work will not be seen by kvm_clear_async_pf_completion_queue(). Waiting on the workqueue could theoretically delay a vCPU due to waiting for the work to complete, but that's a very, very small chance, and likely a very small delay. kvm_arch_async_page_present_queued() unconditionally makes a new request, i.e. will effectively delay entering the guest, so the remaining work is really just: trace_kvm_async_pf_completed(addr, cr2_or_gpa); __kvm_vcpu_wake_up(vcpu); mmput(mm); and mmput() can't drop the last reference to the page tables if the vCPU is still alive, i.e. the vCPU won't get stuck tearing down page tables. Add a helper to do the flushing, specifically to deal with "wakeup all" work items, as they aren't actually work items, i.e. are never placed in a workqueue. Trying to flush a bogus workqueue entry rightly makes __flush_work() complain (kudos to whoever added that sanity check). Note, commit 5f6de5cbebee ("KVM: Prevent module exit until al ---truncated---
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 2.6.38 and later | 4.19.312, 5.4.274, 5.10.215, 5.15.154, 6.1.84, 6.6.24, 6.7.12, 6.8.3, 6.9 | Patch available | CNA |
- Linux VendorLinux Affected 2.6.38 and later Fixed in 4.19.312, 5.4.274, 5.10.215, 5.15.154, 6.1.84, 6.6.24, 6.7.12, 6.8.3, 6.9 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 2
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 2.6.38 to before 4.19.312; 4.20 to before 5.4.274; 5.5 to before 5.10.215; 5.11 to before 5.15.154; 5.16 to before 6.1.84; 6.2 to before 6.6.24; 6.7 to before 6.7.12; 6.8 to before 6.8.3 | Vulnerable | Linux |
| cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:10.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.0 | Vulnerable | Debian |
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 2.6.38 to before 4.19.312; 4.20 to before 5.4.274; 5.5 to before 5.10.215; 5.11 to before 5.15.154; 5.16 to before 6.1.84; 6.2 to before 6.6.24; 6.7 to before 6.7.12; 6.8 to before 6.8.3 Vulnerable ·Linux
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:10.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.0 Vulnerable ·Debian
Remediation
- Fix · CNA Linux (Linux) Fixed in 4.19.312, 5.4.274, 5.10.215, 5.15.154, 6.1.84, 6.6.24, 6.7.12, 6.8.3, 6.9
Red Hat 4 advisories
- RHSA-2025:3510 Released 2025-04-02 · Red Hat rating Moderatekernel security update
- Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v.9.4) kernel-tools-libs-devel-5.14.0-427.62.1.el9_4, libperf-5.14.0-427.62.1.el9_4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.9.4) kernel-64k-debug-devel-5.14.0-427.62.1.el9_4, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-427.62.1.el9_4, kernel-64k-devel-5.14.0-427.62.1.el9_4 +11
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v.9.4) bpftool-7.3.0-427.62.1.el9_4, kernel-5.14.0-427.62.1.el9_4, kernel-64k-5.14.0-427.62.1.el9_4 +29
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v.9.4) kernel-rt-5.14.0-427.62.1.el9_4, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-427.62.1.el9_4, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-427.62.1.el9_4 +9
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v.9.4) kernel-rt-5.14.0-427.62.1.el9_4, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-427.62.1.el9_4, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-427.62.1.el9_4 +11
- RHSA-2024:9315 Released 2024-11-12 · Red Hat rating Moderatekernel security update
- Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 9) kernel-cross-headers-5.14.0-503.11.1.el9_5, kernel-tools-libs-devel-5.14.0-503.11.1.el9_5, libperf-5.14.0-503.11.1.el9_5
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9) kernel-64k-debug-devel-5.14.0-503.11.1.el9_5, kernel-64k-debug-devel-matched-5.14.0-503.11.1.el9_5, kernel-64k-devel-5.14.0-503.11.1.el9_5 +12
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 9) bpftool-7.4.0-503.11.1.el9_5, kernel-5.14.0-503.11.1.el9_5, kernel-64k-5.14.0-503.11.1.el9_5 +30
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 9) kernel-rt-5.14.0-503.11.1.el9_5, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-503.11.1.el9_5, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-503.11.1.el9_5 +9
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 9) kernel-rt-5.14.0-503.11.1.el9_5, kernel-rt-core-5.14.0-503.11.1.el9_5, kernel-rt-debug-5.14.0-503.11.1.el9_5 +11
- RHSA-2024:8856 Released 2024-11-05 · Red Hat rating Moderatekernel security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 8) bpftool-4.18.0-553.27.1.el8_10, kernel-4.18.0-553.27.1.el8_10, kernel-abi-stablelists-4.18.0-553.27.1.el8_10 +19
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux CRB (v. 8) kernel-tools-libs-devel-4.18.0-553.27.1.el8_10
Show 1 more Red Hat advisories
- RHSA-2024:8870 Released 2024-11-05 · Red Hat rating Moderatekernel-rt security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux NFV (v. 8) kernel-rt-4.18.0-553.27.1.rt7.368.el8_10, kernel-rt-core-4.18.0-553.27.1.rt7.368.el8_10, kernel-rt-debug-4.18.0-553.27.1.rt7.368.el8_10 +9
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux RT (v. 8) kernel-rt-4.18.0-553.27.1.rt7.368.el8_10, kernel-rt-core-4.18.0-553.27.1.rt7.368.el8_10, kernel-rt-debug-4.18.0-553.27.1.rt7.368.el8_10 +7
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | Affected | No fix planned: Out of support scope |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | Affected | No fix planned: Out of support scope |
| Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2024:9315 |
| Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2025:3510 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2024:9315 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream EUS (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2025:3510 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2024:8856 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2024:9315 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2025:3510 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux CRB (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2024:8856 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux NFV (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2024:8870 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux RT (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2024:8870 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2024:9315 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time EUS (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2025:3510 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV (v. 9) | Fixed | RHSA-2024:9315 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Real Time for NFV EUS (v.9.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2025:3510 |
Not affected: 2 products
- Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 9)
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux AppStream (v. 9)
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2024-26976
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-qc4m-rx2p-hrfv
- 2026-10-29 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
References
Patch 9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ab2c2f5d9576112ad22cfd3798071cb74693b1f5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/82e25cc1c2e93c3023da98be282322fc08b61ffb
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f8730d6335e5f43d09151fca1f0f41922209a264
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/83d3c5e309611ef593e2fcb78444fc8ceedf9bac
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b54478d20375874aeee257744dedfd3e413432ff
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a75afe480d4349c524d9c659b1a5a544dbc39a98
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4f3a3bce428fb439c66a578adc447afce7b4a750
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/caa9af2e27c275e089d702cfbaaece3b42bca31b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3d75b8aa5c29058a512db29da7cbee8052724157
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Sources
- CVE-2024-26976 · CVE Program
- CVE-2024-26976 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-qc4m-rx2p-hrfv · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2024-26976 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
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