CVE-2020-17380 : What You Need to Know

A heap-based buffer overflow in QEMU through version 5.0.0 in the SDHCI device emulation support could allow a guest user to crash the QEMU process or potentially execute arbitrary code on the host.

Understanding CVE-2020-17380

This CVE describes a critical vulnerability in QEMU's SDHCI device emulation support.

What is CVE-2020-17380?

A heap-based buffer overflow was discovered in QEMU through version 5.0.0 in the SDHCI device emulation support. The vulnerability could be exploited during a multi block SDMA transfer, potentially leading to a denial of service or arbitrary code execution.

The Impact of CVE-2020-17380

The vulnerability could allow a guest user or process to crash the QEMU process on the host, resulting in a denial of service condition. In more severe cases, it could enable the execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the QEMU process on the host.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-17380

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability exists in the SDHCI device emulation support in QEMU through version 5.0.0. It stems from a heap-based buffer overflow that occurs during a multi block SDMA transfer via the sdhci_sdma_transfer_multi_blocks() routine in hw/sd/sdhci.c.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions affected: Up to and including version 5.0.0

Exploitation Mechanism

The flaw can be exploited by a guest user or process leveraging the vulnerability in the SDHCI device emulation support to crash the QEMU process on the host or potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the QEMU process.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-17380 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by QEMU promptly.
Monitor vendor security advisories for updates and follow recommended actions.
Restrict network access to vulnerable systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Implement the principle of least privilege to limit the impact of potential exploits.
Conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify and address security weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the QEMU software is updated to a version beyond 5.0.0 to mitigate the vulnerability.