CVE-2017-5973 : Security Advisory and Response
Discover the impact of CVE-2017-5973, a vulnerability in QEMU allowing local users to trigger a denial of service attack by exploiting the xhci_kick_epctx function.
In February 2017, a vulnerability was discovered in the QEMU software, specifically in the xhci_kick_epctx function, which could be exploited by local users with privileged access to the guest operating system, leading to a denial of service attack.
Understanding CVE-2017-5973
This CVE entry details a vulnerability in the QEMU software that allows for a denial of service attack.
What is CVE-2017-5973?
The xhci_kick_epctx function in QEMU's hw/usb/hcd-xhci.c file can be abused by local users with privileged access to the guest OS to trigger an infinite loop, resulting in a crash of the QEMU process. The attack involves manipulating control transfer descriptors.
The Impact of CVE-2017-5973
Exploiting this vulnerability can lead to a denial of service condition, causing the QEMU process to crash, disrupting system operations and potentially affecting the availability of services.
Technical Details of CVE-2017-5973
This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE.
Vulnerability Description
The xhci_kick_epctx function in QEMU's hw/usb/hcd-xhci.c allows local guest OS privileged users to cause a denial of service by triggering an infinite loop and crashing the QEMU process through control transfer descriptor manipulation.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: N/A
- Vendor: N/A
- Version: N/A
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited by local users with privileged access to the guest OS, utilizing control transfer descriptor sequences to trigger an infinite loop and crash the QEMU process.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2017-5973 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply patches and updates provided by the software vendor to address the vulnerability.
- Restrict access to privileged accounts to minimize the risk of exploitation.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch software to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
- Implement least privilege access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that the latest security patches and updates for QEMU are applied to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.