CVE-2020-13253 : Security Advisory and Response

QEMU 4.2.0 is affected by CVE-2020-13253, which allows a guest OS user to crash the QEMU process by exploiting an out-of-bounds read vulnerability.

Understanding CVE-2020-13253

What is CVE-2020-13253?

CVE-2020-13253 is a vulnerability in QEMU 4.2.0 that arises from an unvalidated address in the sd_wp_addr function in hw/sd/sd.c, leading to an out-of-bounds read during sdhci_write() operations.

The Impact of CVE-2020-13253

This vulnerability allows a guest OS user to crash the QEMU process, potentially leading to denial of service.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-13253

Vulnerability Description

The issue occurs in QEMU 4.2.0 due to the use of an unvalidated address, resulting in an out-of-bounds read during specific operations.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: n/a
Vendor: n/a
Version: 4.2.0

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker with access to the guest OS can trigger the vulnerability during sdhci_write() operations, causing a crash in the QEMU process.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security updates provided by the vendor promptly.
Monitor vendor advisories and security mailing lists for patches.
Restrict guest OS access to minimize the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update QEMU and other software to the latest versions.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure.
Conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that QEMU is updated to a patched version that addresses CVE-2020-13253 to prevent exploitation and enhance system security.