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.
Published: 2016-04-12
Score: 7.8 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

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Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

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Tracking

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Advisories
Source ID Title
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-516-1 linux security update
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-3607-1 linux security update
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2016-4209 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.
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-2965-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-2965-2 Linux kernel (Xenial HWE) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-2965-3 Linux kernel (Raspberry Pi 2) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-2965-4 Linux kernel (Qualcomm Snapdragon) vulnerability
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-2968-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-2968-2 Linux kernel (Trusty HWE) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-2969-1 Linux kernel (Utopic HWE) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-2970-1 Linux kernel (Vivid HWE) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-2971-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-2971-2 Linux kernel (Wily HWE) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-2971-3 Linux kernel (Raspberry Pi 2) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-2996-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-2997-1 Linux kernel (OMAP4) vulnerabilities
History

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 13:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics epss

{'score': 0.00356}

epss

{'score': 0.00146}


cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: mitre

Published:

Updated: 2024-08-05T23:47:57.945Z

Reserved: 2016-03-15T00:00:00.000Z

Link: CVE-2016-3157

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Modified

Published: 2016-04-12T16:59:02.423

Modified: 2026-05-06T22:30:45.220

Link: CVE-2016-3157

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Moderate

Publid Date: 2016-03-16T00:00:00Z

Links: CVE-2016-3157 - Bugzilla

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

No data.

Weaknesses