CVE-2020-14301 in libvirt
Summary
by MITRE • 05/28/2021
An information disclosure vulnerability was found in libvirt in versions before 6.3.0. HTTP cookies used to access network-based disks were saved in the XML dump of the guest domain. This flaw allows an attacker to access potentially sensitive information in the domain configuration via the `dumpxml` command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2020-14301 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the libvirt virtualization management library affecting versions prior to 6.3.0. This security issue resides in the way libvirt handles authentication credentials when managing network-based storage devices for virtual machines. The flaw specifically impacts how HTTP cookies, which serve as authentication tokens for accessing remote storage resources, are stored and exposed within the virtual machine's configuration XML representation. When administrators or automated systems execute the dumpxml command to retrieve domain configuration details, the sensitive HTTP cookie information becomes inadvertently exposed in the output, creating a significant security risk for virtualized environments.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the improper handling of authentication tokens within libvirt's domain configuration management system. When virtual machines are configured to access network-based storage through HTTP protocols, libvirt stores the necessary authentication cookies as part of the domain's XML configuration. These cookies contain sensitive session information that enables access to remote storage resources, making them highly valuable to potential attackers. The flaw occurs because the dumpxml functionality, which is designed for legitimate administrative purposes, does not properly sanitize or filter out authentication credentials before exposing the domain configuration to users. This behavior directly violates security best practices for credential management and information protection within virtualization platforms. The vulnerability maps to CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and specifically relates to CWE-522 (Insufficiently Protected Credentials) as it exposes authentication tokens through unintended channels without proper access controls or sanitization measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-14301 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the means to compromise virtualized storage environments and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. An attacker who gains access to the domain configuration through the dumpxml command can extract HTTP cookies that may grant access to network-based storage systems, including shared file systems, remote storage repositories, or cloud storage endpoints. This vulnerability affects virtualization administrators and cloud service providers who rely on libvirt for managing their virtual machine infrastructure, particularly in environments where multiple tenants or users share the same hypervisor. The exposure of authentication tokens through XML dumps creates a persistent risk where credentials remain accessible even after the initial session has ended, potentially allowing attackers to maintain access to network storage resources long after legitimate users have disconnected. This flaw particularly impacts environments using libvirt versions before 6.3.0, where the security controls for credential handling were insufficient to prevent such exposure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-14301 focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to protect virtualization environments. The primary and most effective solution involves upgrading libvirt to version 6.3.0 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper credential sanitization in the dumpxml functionality. Organizations should also implement strict access controls and privilege separation for users who can execute dumpxml commands, ensuring that only authorized administrators have access to potentially sensitive configuration information. Network segmentation and monitoring of dumpxml usage can help detect unauthorized access attempts to domain configurations. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing credential rotation policies for network-based storage access and avoid using long-lived authentication tokens where possible. Security teams should conduct regular audits of domain configurations to identify and remove any exposed authentication information, while also implementing proper logging and monitoring of virtualization management commands to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following the principle of least privilege and proper information flow controls in virtualization management systems, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 (Credentials in Files) and emphasizing the need for comprehensive credential management practices within virtualized environments.