Similar to the sysfs files for mds and tsx_async_abort, that for
mmio_stale_data also provides the best effort mitigation mode which
invokes the mitigation instructions without a guarantee they clear the
CPU buffers to address virtualized scenarios. Adds description for the
mode in the mmio_stale_data's page to make it self-contained.
Signed-off-by: Takahiro Itazuri <itazur@xxxxxxxxxx>
---
.../hw-vuln/processor_mmio_stale_data.rst | 19 ++++++++++++++++++-
1 file changed, 18 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)
diff --git a/Documentation/admin-guide/hw-vuln/processor_mmio_stale_data.rst b/Documentation/admin-guide/hw-vuln/processor_mmio_stale_data.rst
index c98fd1190..c1c96eeb8 100644
--- a/Documentation/admin-guide/hw-vuln/processor_mmio_stale_data.rst
+++ b/Documentation/admin-guide/hw-vuln/processor_mmio_stale_data.rst
@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ The possible values in this file are:
- The processor is vulnerable, but no mitigation enabled
* - 'Vulnerable: Clear CPU buffers attempted, no microcode'
- The processor is vulnerable, but microcode is not updated. The
- mitigation is enabled on a best effort basis.
+ mitigation is enabled on a best effort basis. See :ref:`best_effort`.
* - 'Mitigation: Clear CPU buffers'
- The processor is vulnerable and the CPU buffer clearing mitigation is
enabled.
@@ -254,6 +254,23 @@ the above information:
'SMT Host state unknown' Kernel runs in a VM, Host SMT state unknown
======================== ===========================================
+.. _best_effort:
+
+Best effort mitigation mode
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+If the processor is vulnerable, but the availability of the microcode-based
+mitigation mechanism is not advertised via CPUID the kernel selects a best
+effort mitigation mode. This mode invokes the mitigation instructions
+without a guarantee that they clear the CPU buffers.
+
+This is done to address virtualization scenarios where the host has the
+microcode update applied, but the hypervisor is not yet updated to expose the
+CPUID to the guest. If the host has updated microcode the protection takes
+effect; otherwise a few CPU cycles are wasted pointlessly.
+
+The state in the mmio_stale_data sysfs file reflects this situation accordingly.
+
References
----------
.. [#f1] Affected Processors
--
2.40.1
