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CVE-2017-2596 Linux CVE debrief

CVE-2017-2596 affects the Linux kernel's KVM VMX nested virtualization code and can be triggered by a local guest user on affected systems. According to the NVD record, the issue stems from improper emulation of the VMXON instruction in nested_vmx_check_vmptr, which can lead to mishandling of page references and host memory consumption, resulting in denial of service. The vulnerable range recorded in the source corpus extends through Linux kernel 4.9.8.

Vendor
Linux
Product
CVE-2017-2596
CVSS
MEDIUM 6.5
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2017-02-06
Original CVE updated
2026-05-13
Advisory published
2017-02-06
Advisory updated
2026-05-13

Who should care

Linux kernel and virtualization maintainers, cloud and datacenter operators running KVM/VMX, and security teams responsible for guest isolation on hosts that run untrusted or semi-trusted virtual machines.

Technical summary

The NVD entry classifies the issue as a Linux kernel vulnerability in arch/x86/kvm/vmx.c, specifically nested_vmx_check_vmptr, where VMXON emulation is mishandled in nested virtualization. The recorded CVSS v3 vector is AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:N/A:H, and the weakness is CWE-772. In practical terms, a low-privilege local actor inside an affected KVM guest can drive host-side resource consumption severe enough to deny service.

Defensive priority

Medium, with higher operational urgency on hosts that run untrusted KVM guests or depend on strong guest isolation.

Recommended defensive actions

  • Confirm whether host kernels are at or below the affected 4.9.8 range recorded in the NVD CPE criteria.
  • Apply the vendor/kernel updates referenced by the linked Debian and Red Hat advisories and patch discussion.
  • Prioritize patching on virtualization hosts that expose KVM/VMX to tenants or untrusted workloads.
  • Review guest isolation and operational monitoring for abnormal host memory growth on affected platforms.
  • Track downstream vendor guidance for your distribution rather than relying only on the upstream version boundary.

Evidence notes

The source corpus ties this CVE to Linux kernel KVM VMX code in arch/x86/kvm/vmx.c and records impact through denial of service via host memory consumption. NVD metadata provides the CVSS 3.0 vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:N/A:H and identifies CWE-772. The reference set includes Debian DSA-3791, Red Hat errata, a mailing list patch discussion, and a Red Hat Bugzilla issue, which supports that remediation guidance was distributed by vendors and in patch-related channels.

Official resources

The CVE was published on 2017-02-06 and later modified on 2026-05-13. Supporting vendor and patch references in the corpus include a mailing list discussion dated 2017-01-31, but that should not be treated as the CVE publication date.