CVE-2016-10028 in QEMU
Summary
by MITRE
The virgl_cmd_get_capset function in hw/display/virtio-gpu-3d.c in QEMU (aka Quick Emulator) built with Virtio GPU Device emulator support allows local guest OS users to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read and process crash) via a VIRTIO_GPU_CMD_GET_CAPSET command with a maximum capabilities size with a value of 0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10028 resides within the QEMU virtualization platform, specifically in the Virtio GPU Device emulator component. This flaw manifests in the virgl_cmd_get_capset function located in the hw/display/virtio-gpu-3d.c file, representing a critical security issue that affects virtualized environments utilizing Virtio GPU devices. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the command processing mechanism, creating a scenario where malicious guest operating systems can exploit the system through crafted Virtio GPU commands.
The technical flaw involves an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when processing the VIRTIO_GPU_CMD_GET_CAPSET command. When a guest OS sends a command with a maximum capabilities size parameter set to zero, the function fails to properly validate this input before proceeding with memory access operations. This validation failure results in the system attempting to read memory beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, causing unpredictable behavior and ultimately leading to process termination. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of virtualization security and memory management, where the hypervisor's handling of guest-controlled data leads to system instability.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant denial of service risk for virtualized environments. Local guest OS users can exploit this flaw to crash the QEMU process, effectively terminating the virtual machine instance and disrupting service availability. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption as it can potentially be leveraged in broader attack scenarios where an attacker seeks to destabilize virtualized infrastructure. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges within the guest operating system, making it particularly concerning for multi-tenant virtualization environments where guest isolation is paramount. This weakness directly impacts the reliability and security posture of virtualized systems, particularly those relying on Virtio GPU acceleration for graphics processing.
The vulnerability maps to CWE-125 Out-of-bounds Read and CWE-476 NULL Pointer Dereference within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, reflecting the core memory safety issues present in the implementation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with T1499.004 Network Denial of Service and T1068 Local Privilege Escalation techniques, as it enables local users to cause system instability and potentially gain further control through subsequent exploitation attempts. The remediation approach requires implementing proper input validation and bounds checking within the command processing function to ensure that the maximum capabilities size parameter is validated before any memory operations are performed. Additionally, the QEMU maintainers should implement comprehensive error handling and memory boundary checks to prevent unauthorized memory access patterns. Updates to the Virtio GPU emulator component should include robust parameter validation mechanisms that reject invalid capability size values and enforce proper buffer limits. Organizations utilizing QEMU virtualization platforms should prioritize patching this vulnerability to maintain system stability and prevent potential exploitation by malicious actors seeking to disrupt virtualized services or escalate privileges within their environments.