#VU32080 Memory leak in QEMU - CVE-2017-5525

Vulnerability identifier: #VU32080

Vulnerability risk: Medium

CVSSv4.0: 4.3 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Green]

CVE-ID: CVE-2017-5525

CWE-ID: CWE-401

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
QEMU
Client/Desktop applications / Virtualization software

Vendor: QEMU

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to perform a denial of service (DoS) attack.

The vulnerability exists due to memory leak within hw/audio/ac97.c in QEMU (aka Quick Emulator) allows local guest OS privileged users to cause a denial of service (host memory consumption and QEMU process crash) via a large number of device unplug operations. A remote attacker can perform a denial of service attack.

Mitigation
Cybersecurity Help is currently unaware of any official solution to address this vulnerability.

Vulnerable software versions

QEMU: 3.1.3

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External links
https://git.qemu-project.org/?p=qemu.git;a=commit;h=12351a91da97b414eec8cdb09f1d9f41e535a401
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/01/17/19
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/01/18/7
https://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95671
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/09/msg00007.html
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201702-28

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.