CVE-2017-15118 : Security Advisory and Response

CVE-2017-15118, published on July 27, 2018, is a vulnerability in the QEMU NBD server implementation version 2.11. This vulnerability allows a client to exceed the intended export name limit, leading to a stack-based buffer overflow.

Understanding CVE-2017-15118

This CVE entry highlights a critical security issue in the QEMU software.

What is CVE-2017-15118?

The vulnerability in QEMU's NBD server implementation allows a client to request an export name larger than the intended limit, causing a stack-based buffer overflow.

The Impact of CVE-2017-15118

The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 8.3, indicating a high severity level. It can lead to an out-of-bounds stack write in the QEMU process.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-15118

This section delves into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

A stack-based buffer overflow occurs in the NBD server implementation in QEMU before version 2.11, enabling clients to trigger an out-of-bounds stack write.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: QEMU
Vendor: QEMU
Vulnerable Version: 2.11

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability allows a client to request an export name larger than the intended limit, causing the buffer overflow in the QEMU process.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-15118 involves immediate steps and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update QEMU to version 2.11 or above to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor vendor advisories for patches and security updates.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Regularly scan and monitor systems for vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by QEMU to address the buffer overflow vulnerability.