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 ]
Metrics
Affected Vendors & Products
References
History
Mon, 18 Aug 2025 21:00:00 +0000
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First Time appeared |
Linux
Linux linux Kernel |
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Vendors & Products |
Linux
Linux linux Kernel |
Sat, 16 Aug 2025 11:15:00 +0000
Type | Values Removed | Values Added |
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Description | 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 ] | |
Title | x86/sev: Use TSC_FACTOR for Secure TSC frequency calculation | |
References |
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Status: PUBLISHED
Assigner: Linux
Published: 2025-08-16T10:54:45.567Z
Updated: 2025-08-16T10:54:45.567Z
Reserved: 2025-04-16T04:51:24.022Z
Link: CVE-2025-38508

No data.

Status : Awaiting Analysis
Published: 2025-08-16T11:15:43.773
Modified: 2025-08-18T20:16:28.750
Link: CVE-2025-38508

No data.