CVE-2020-1711 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2020-1711, an out-of-bounds heap buffer access flaw in QEMU versions 2.12.0 before 4.2.1, allowing for denial of service or arbitrary code execution. Take immediate steps and follow long-term security practices to mitigate the risk.
An out-of-bounds heap buffer access flaw in the iSCSI Block driver in QEMU versions 2.12.0 before 4.2.1 could lead to a denial of service or execution of arbitrary code.
Understanding CVE-2020-1711
This CVE highlights a vulnerability in QEMU that could be exploited by a remote user to crash the QEMU process and potentially execute arbitrary code on the host machine.
What is CVE-2020-1711?
An out-of-bounds heap buffer access flaw in QEMU's iSCSI Block driver allows for a denial of service attack or potential execution of arbitrary code by a remote user.
The Impact of CVE-2020-1711
The severity of this vulnerability is rated as high, with a CVSS base score of 7.7. The flaw could result in a denial of service or enable an attacker to execute arbitrary code with QEMU process privileges.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-1711
This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability exists in the way the iSCSI Block driver in QEMU handles responses from an iSCSI server, specifically while checking the status of a Logical Address Block (LBA) in an iscsi_co_block_status() routine.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: QEMU
- Vendor: Red Hat
- Versions affected: All qemu versions from 2.12.0 before 4.2.1
Exploitation Mechanism
The flaw could be triggered by a remote user sending a crafted response from an iSCSI server, leading to an out-of-bounds heap buffer access and potentially crashing the QEMU process.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2020-1711 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply the vendor-provided patches immediately to address the vulnerability.
- Monitor vendor advisories for security updates and take prompt action.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and firmware to patch known vulnerabilities.
- Implement strong network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Patching and Updates
Ensure the systems are regularly updated with the latest security patches and updates provided by the vendor.