Overview
Recently, a security researcher disclosed a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability (CVE-2019-14378) in the SLiRP networking backend in the QEMU emulator. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to crash the QEMU process on a host machine, resulting in a denial of service, or possibly execute arbitrary code with privileges of the QEMU process.
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability requires bypassing ASLR and PIE. Besides, full exploitation is more difficult than the VENOM attack, but the researcher’s proof-of-concept video demonstrates it by opening a GNOME Calculator process on the host machine from a shell script inside QEMU.
Currently, a related exploit is already available. The QEMU team has fixed this vulnerability in its latest releases.
References:
https://blog.bi0s.in/2019/08/24/Pwn/VM-Escape/2019-07-29-qemu-vm-escape-cve-2019-14378/
https://github.com/vishnudevtj/exploits/tree/master/qemu/CVE-2019-14378
Fixed Versions
- QEMU V4.1.0, V4.1.0-rc5, and V4.1.0-rc4
- Other vendors, including SUSE and Debian, have also released fixed versions for their affected products. For details, see the following solution.
Solution
Currently, the QEMU team has officially released the latest versions to fix this vulnerability. Users are advised to download an appropriate version and upgrade as soon as possible. The latest versions are available at the following links:
https://github.com/qemu/qemu/releases
SUSE provides fixed versions for its affected products. For details, visit the following link:
https://www.suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2019-14378/
Debian provides fixed versions for its affected products. For details, visit the following link:
https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2019-14378
Red Hat lists products and versions affected by this vulnerability. For details, visit the following link:
https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/cve-2019-14378
Statement
This advisory is only used to describe a potential risk. NSFOCUS does not provide any commitment or promise on this advisory. NSFOCUS and the author will not bear any liability for any direct and/or indirect consequences and losses caused by transmitting and/or using this advisory. NSFOCUS reserves all the rights to modify and interpret this advisory. Please include this statement paragraph when reproducing or transferring this advisory. Do not modify this advisory, add/delete any information to/from it, or use this advisory for commercial purposes without permission from NSFOCUS.
About NSFOCUS
NSFOCUS, Inc., a global network and cyber security leader, protects enterprises and carriers from advanced cyber attacks. The company’s Intelligent Hybrid Security strategy utilizes both cloud and on-premises security platforms, built on a foundation of real-time global threat intelligence, to provide multi-layered, unified and dynamic protection against advanced cyber attacks.
NSFOCUS works with Fortune Global 500 companies, including four of the world’s five largest financial institutions, organizations in insurance, retail, healthcare, critical infrastructure industries as well as government agencies. NSFOCUS has technology and channel partners in more than 60 countries, is a member of both the Microsoft Active Protections Program (MAPP), and the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA).
A wholly owned subsidiary of NSFOCUS Information Technology Co. Ltd., the company has operations in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.
