CVE-2020-12430 : What You Need to Know

An issue was discovered in qemuDomainGetStatsIOThread in qemu/qemu_driver.c in libvirt 4.10.0 though 6.x before 6.1.0. This vulnerability allows unprivileged users to cause a memory leak in the domstats command, potentially leading to a denial of service.

Understanding CVE-2020-12430

This CVE involves a memory leak vulnerability in the virDomainListGetStats libvirt API, affecting the management of QEMU guests.

What is CVE-2020-12430?

The vulnerability in qemuDomainGetStatsIOThread in libvirt allows unprivileged users with read-only connections to trigger a memory leak, impacting the domstats command and potentially causing a denial of service.

The Impact of CVE-2020-12430

Exploitation of this vulnerability could result in a denial of service condition on systems managing QEMU guests, affecting system availability and performance.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-12430

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

A memory leak was found in the virDomainListGetStats libvirt API, allowing unprivileged users to cause a denial of service by triggering a memory leak in the domstats command.

Affected Systems and Versions

Systems running libvirt versions 4.10.0 through 6.x before 6.1.0 are vulnerable.

Exploitation Mechanism

Unprivileged users with read-only connections can exploit this vulnerability to cause a memory leak in the domstats command, potentially leading to a denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-12430, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update libvirt to version 6.1.0 or later to patch the memory leak vulnerability.
Monitor system resources for any signs of abnormal memory consumption.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user access and minimize the impact of potential vulnerabilities.
Regularly review and update access controls to prevent unauthorized users from exploiting system weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly to ensure that known vulnerabilities are addressed and system security is maintained.