CVE-2024-58083 – This vulnerability in the Linux kernel's KVM su... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-58083?

CVE-2024-58083 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This vulnerability in the Linux kernel's KVM subsystem allows a malicious user or guest VM to potentially trigger a use-after-free condition by accessing vCPU0 before it's fully online. This could lead to kernel crashes, privilege escalation, or denial of service. The vulnerability affects systems running KVM virtualization with vulnerable kernel versions.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability in the Linux kernel's KVM subsystem allows a malicious user or guest VM to potentially trigger a use-after-free condition by accessing vCPU0 before it's fully online. This could lead to kernel crashes, privilege escalation, or denial of service. The vulnerability affects systems running KVM virtualization with vulnerable kernel versions.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel with KVM virtualization

Versions: Specific kernel versions between the introduction of xarray for vCPUs and the fix commit. Check the stable kernel commits for exact ranges.

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using affected kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Only affects systems with KVM virtualization enabled and in use. Systems without KVM or with KVM disabled are not vulnerable.

📦 What is this software?

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Kernel crash leading to system instability, potential privilege escalation allowing attackers to gain root access, or denial of service affecting all VMs on the host.

🟠

Likely Case

System instability or kernel panic causing host crashes and disruption of all virtual machines running on the affected system.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minimal impact if proper access controls prevent untrusted users from interacting with KVM interfaces.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - This vulnerability requires local access to the KVM subsystem and is not directly exploitable over the network.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Malicious local users or compromised VMs could exploit this vulnerability to affect the host system stability.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires local access to KVM interfaces and knowledge of triggering the specific race condition. The vulnerability requires specific timing and conditions to trigger the use-after-free.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Kernel versions containing commit 09d50ccf0b2d739db4a485b08afe7520a4402a63 or later stable backports

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/09d50ccf0b2d739db4a485b08afe7520a4402a63

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update to a patched kernel version from your distribution vendor. 2. Reboot the system to load the new kernel. 3. Verify the kernel version after reboot.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable KVM virtualization

all

Completely disable KVM virtualization if not required, eliminating the attack surface.

echo 'blacklist kvm' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
echo 'blacklist kvm_intel' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
echo 'blacklist kvm_amd' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
update-initramfs -u
reboot

Restrict KVM device access

all

Limit access to KVM device files to trusted users only.

chmod 600 /dev/kvm
chown root:root /dev/kvm

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict local user access to systems running KVM virtualization
Implement strict monitoring for kernel crashes or unusual KVM-related system behavior

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check if your kernel version is between the vulnerable range by examining kernel commit history or checking with your distribution vendor for specific affected versions.

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify the kernel version contains the fix commit (09d50ccf0b2d739db4a485b08afe7520a4402a63) or check with your distribution's security advisory.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic logs
KVM-related error messages in dmesg or system logs
Unexpected system crashes or reboots

Network Indicators:

None - this is a local vulnerability

SIEM Query:

Search for kernel panic events, KVM module errors, or unexpected system reboots in system logs.

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-58083

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-416

EPSS Score: 0.04% exploit probability (12.3th percentile)

Published: March 6, 2025

Last Updated: November 3, 2025

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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