CVE-2026-23553
January 28, 2026
In the context switch logic Xen attempts to skip an IBPB in the case of
a vCPU returning to a CPU on which it was the previous vCPU to run.
While safe for Xen's isolation between vCPUs, this prevents the guest
kernel correctly isolating between tasks. Consider:
1) vCPU runs on CPU A, running task 1.
2) vCPU moves to CPU B, idle gets scheduled on A. Xen skips IBPB.
3) On CPU B, guest kernel switches from task 1 to 2, issuing IBPB.
4) vCPU moves back to CPU A. Xen skips IBPB again.
Now, task 2 is running on CPU A with task 1's training still in the BTB.
Related Resources (3)
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Contact UsCVSS v4
Base Score:
2.1
Attack Vector
LOCAL
Attack Complexity
HIGH
Attack Requirements
NONE
Privileges Required
NONE
User Interaction
NONE
Vulnerable System Confidentiality
LOW
Vulnerable System Integrity
NONE
Vulnerable System Availability
NONE
Subsequent System Confidentiality
NONE
Subsequent System Integrity
NONE
Subsequent System Availability
NONE
CVSS v3
Base Score:
2.9
Attack Vector
LOCAL
Attack Complexity
HIGH
Privileges Required
NONE
User Interaction
NONE
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
LOW
Integrity
NONE
Availability
NONE
EPSS
Base Score:
0.02