CVE-2013-4239 in libvirt
Summary
by MITRE
The xenDaemonListDefinedDomains function in xen/xend_internal.c in libvirt 1.1.1 allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and crash) via vectors involving the virConnectListDefinedDomains API function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4239 resides within the libvirt virtualization management library version 1.1.1, specifically within the xenDaemonListDefinedDomains function located in xen/xend_internal.c. This flaw represents a critical security issue that affects virtualized environments relying on libvirt for domain management. The vulnerability manifests when remote authenticated users exploit the virConnectListDefinedDomains API function, which is designed to retrieve information about defined but not running virtual machines within Xen hypervisor environments. The flaw creates a path for malicious actors to manipulate memory structures through crafted API calls, leading to unpredictable system behavior and potential service disruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the xenDaemonListDefinedDomains function. When the virConnectListDefinedDomains API function processes requests from authenticated users, the underlying code fails to properly sanitize or validate the data structures involved in domain enumeration. This deficiency creates opportunities for memory corruption that can result in arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The vulnerability operates at the interface between libvirt's API layer and the Xen hypervisor's internal domain management mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous in virtualized environments where multiple users may have authenticated access to the management interface. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to corrupt memory regions that should remain stable during normal operation, causing the libvirt daemon to crash or behave unpredictably.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to virtualization infrastructure security and availability. Organizations utilizing libvirt 1.1.1 for Xen hypervisor management face potential denial of service attacks that could disrupt virtual machine operations and compromise system stability. The remote authenticated nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access to the system but can leverage network-based authenticated sessions to trigger the vulnerability. This makes the attack surface particularly concerning for cloud environments and data centers where multiple users maintain authenticated access to virtualization management interfaces. The memory corruption aspect of the vulnerability could potentially be escalated to more severe outcomes, including privilege escalation or information disclosure, depending on the specific implementation details and system configuration. The vulnerability directly impacts the availability of virtualization services and could lead to extended downtime for critical virtual machine workloads.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-4239 focus primarily on immediate software updates and access control measures. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to libvirt versions that contain patches addressing this vulnerability, as the official fix resolves the memory handling issues within the xenDaemonListDefinedDomains function. Additionally, implementing strict access controls and authentication mechanisms can reduce the attack surface by limiting who can establish authenticated sessions to the libvirt management interface. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to management ports only to trusted administrative systems. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and may also relate to CWE-122, heap-based buffer overflow conditions, depending on the specific memory corruption patterns. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be categorized under T1489, which covers denial of service attacks, and potentially T1068, which involves privilege escalation through exploitation of software vulnerabilities. Monitoring for unusual API call patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should verify that all virtualization management components are properly patched and configured according to security best practices.