CVE-2025-38508

CVE-2025-38508CVE-2025-38508

linux / linux_kernel

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 mitigati

Scoring

CVSS 7.3 ()
VectorCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:H
Last modified2026-07-30
Sourced from NVD. Curated for EU compliance use cases by Adam Lundqvist, Founder at SQUR.