CVE-2014-0182 in QEMU
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the virtio_load function in hw/virtio/virtio.c in QEMU before 1.7.2 might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted config length in a savevm image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0182 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within the QEMU virtualization platform's virtio device implementation. This flaw exists in the virtio_load function located in the hw/virtio/virtio.c file and affects QEMU versions prior to 1.7.2. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation when processing savevm images, specifically when handling crafted config length values that are embedded within these virtual machine state snapshots.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the virtio_load function where the system fails to validate the length parameter of configuration data contained in savevm images. When a malicious actor crafts a savevm image with an oversized config length field, the system allocates heap memory based on this unvalidated input without proper boundary enforcement. This allows the attacker to write beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially overwriting adjacent memory regions including function pointers, return addresses, or other critical data structures. The heap corruption occurs during the virtual machine state restoration process when QEMU attempts to load the malicious configuration data, making this a particularly dangerous vulnerability since it can be exploited during normal virtual machine operation or state migration scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it enables remote attackers to gain arbitrary code execution privileges within the host system running the vulnerable QEMU instance. This represents a severe privilege escalation scenario where an attacker can potentially compromise the entire host environment, especially when QEMU is running with elevated privileges or when multiple virtual machines are managed by a single hypervisor instance. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in cloud computing environments and virtualization platforms where multiple tenants share the same physical infrastructure, as successful exploitation could lead to cross-tenant attacks or complete system compromise. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code with the privileges of the QEMU process, potentially leading to full system compromise or data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0182 primarily focus on immediate patching and system hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to QEMU version 1.7.2 or later, which includes proper input validation and bounds checking for the virtio_load function. Additionally, implementing strict access controls on savevm image files and virtual machine state management can help reduce attack surface. Network segmentation and monitoring of virtual machine state transfer operations can provide early detection of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through virtualization and container abuse. Regular security audits of virtualization environments and implementation of automated patch management systems are essential defensive measures to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the virtualization stack.