CVE-2026-79611

VMX: VMentry failure with branch tracing and blocked states

Published Oct 13, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 5.5 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
For XSA-308 logic was introduced, as VMX VMEntry checks do not like the
exact combination of state which occurs when #DB in intercepted, Single
Stepping is active, and blocked by STI/MovSS is active, despite this being
a legitimate state to be in. The resulting VMEntry failure is fatal to
the guest.

Sadly there is another special sub-case of the above, with branch tracing
enabled. In that case the prior adjustment would still cause a VMentry
failure, as before fatal to the guest.

Remediation

Vendor Workaround

Running only PV guests will avoid this vulnerability. Running HVM guests on only AMD or Hygon hardware will also avoid this vulnerability.

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-4818-1 xen security update
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-4881-1 xen security update
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6571-1 xen security update
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-399
CWE-467
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-843
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Xen
Xen xen
Vendors & Products Xen
Xen xen
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-399
CWE-467
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description For XSA-308 logic was introduced, as VMX VMEntry checks do not like the exact combination of state which occurs when #DB in intercepted, Single Stepping is active, and blocked by STI/MovSS is active, despite this being a legitimate state to be in. The resulting VMEntry failure is fatal to the guest. Sadly there is another special sub-case of the above, with branch tracing enabled. In that case the prior adjustment would still cause a VMentry failure, as before fatal to the guest.
Title VMX: VMentry failure with branch tracing and blocked states
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
XEN
Published
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 5:31 PM
Reserved
Aug 25, 2026, 7:35 AM
Status
Awaiting Analysis
Published
Oct 13, 2026, 4:17 PM
Modified
Oct 20, 2026, 6:17 PM