CVE-2020-27173 : Security Advisory and Response

In vm-superio before 0.1.1, a vulnerability exists where the serial console FIFO can lead to unlimited memory usage, causing memory pressure on the host and impacting other VMs.

Understanding CVE-2020-27173

What is CVE-2020-27173?

This CVE refers to a flaw in vm-superio before version 0.1.1 that allows the serial console FIFO to grow indefinitely, leading to memory pressure on the host system.

The Impact of CVE-2020-27173

The vulnerability can result in memory pressure on the host system, affecting the performance of all other virtual machines running on the same host.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-27173

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises when data is sent to the input source without rate limiting, causing the serial console FIFO to consume memory excessively.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions affected: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by sending data to the input source without rate limiting, triggering the memory consumption issue.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the patch or update to version 0.1.1 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement rate limiting mechanisms to prevent excessive memory usage.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software components to the latest versions to address known vulnerabilities.
Monitor memory usage on host systems to detect abnormal behavior that could indicate exploitation.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of patches and updates provided by the software vendor to address security issues.