CVE-2016-3157

HIGH

Xen - Privilege Escalation via Improper IOPL Context Switch

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Description

The __switch_to function in arch/x86/kernel/process_64.c in the Linux kernel does not properly context-switch IOPL on 64-bit PV Xen guests, which allows local guest OS users to gain privileges, cause a denial of service (guest OS crash), or obtain sensitive information by leveraging I/O port access.

References (14)

Core 14
Core References
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_ubuntu
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2969-1
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_ubuntu
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2968-1
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_ubuntu
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2971-3
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_ubuntu
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2997-1
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_debian
http://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3607
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_ubuntu
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2971-1
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_ubuntu
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2996-1
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_ubuntu
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2968-2
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_sectrack
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1035308
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/84594
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_ubuntu
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2971-2
Patch, Vendor Advisory x_refsource_confirm
http://xenbits.xen.org/xsa/advisory-171.html
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_ubuntu
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2970-1

Scores

CVSS v3 7.8
EPSS 0.0036
EPSS Percentile 58.0%
Attack Vector LOCAL
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Details

CWE
CWE-264
Status published
Products (2)
canonical/ubuntu_linux 12.04
xen/xen 4.0.0
Published Apr 12, 2016
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026