CVE-2017-7718 : Security Advisory and Response

QEMU (Quick Emulator) is affected by a vulnerability in the file cirrus_vga_rop.h that allows local users with privileged access to trigger a denial of service attack. This occurs due to an out-of-bounds read, leading to a crash of the QEMU process when copying VGA data.

Understanding CVE-2017-7718

This CVE entry pertains to a vulnerability in QEMU that can be exploited by local users with privileged access to the guest operating system.

What is CVE-2017-7718?

The vulnerability in QEMU allows local users with privileged access to the guest operating system to cause a denial of service by triggering an out-of-bounds read, resulting in a crash of the QEMU process. The issue specifically arises during the copying of VGA data using certain functions.

The Impact of CVE-2017-7718

The impact of this vulnerability is the potential for local users with elevated privileges to disrupt the QEMU process, leading to a denial of service condition on the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-7718

QEMU's vulnerability in the cirrus_vga_rop.h file can be further understood through technical details.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows local users with privileged access to the guest OS to exploit an out-of-bounds read, causing the QEMU process to crash when copying VGA data using specific functions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: QEMU (Quick Emulator)
Vendor: N/A
Versions: N/A

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by local users with privileged access to the guest OS, utilizing the cirrus_bitblt_rop_fwd_transp_ and cirrus_bitblt_rop_fwd_ functions to trigger the denial of service attack.

Mitigation and Prevention

Mitigation strategies are crucial to address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2017-7718.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by the vendor promptly.
Restrict access to privileged accounts to minimize the risk of exploitation.
Monitor system logs for any unusual activities that may indicate an attempted exploit.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities.
Implement the principle of least privilege to limit user access rights.
Conduct security training for users to raise awareness of potential threats and best practices.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the latest security patches and updates for QEMU are applied to mitigate the vulnerability and enhance system security.