CVE-2024-1441 in libvirt
Summary
by MITRE • 03/11/2024
An off-by-one error flaw was found in the udevListInterfacesByStatus() function in libvirt when the number of interfaces exceeds the size of the `names` array. This issue can be reproduced by sending specially crafted data to the libvirt daemon, allowing an unprivileged client to perform a denial of service attack by causing the libvirt daemon to crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-1441 represents a critical off-by-one error within the libvirt virtualization management library, specifically affecting the udevListInterfacesByStatus() function. This flaw exists in the way the system handles array boundaries when processing network interface information, creating a condition where the application fails to properly validate array limits during data processing operations. The vulnerability manifests when the number of network interfaces exceeds the predetermined size of the names array, leading to memory boundary violations that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and boundary checking within the libvirt daemon's udev interface handling mechanism. When an unprivileged client sends specially crafted data to the libvirt daemon, the system attempts to process interface information without adequate bounds checking, resulting in a buffer overflow condition. This type of flaw falls under CWE-129, which specifically addresses improper validation of array indices, and represents a classic example of inadequate input sanitization in system-level software components. The flaw operates at the intersection of memory management and privilege escalation, as it allows a low-privilege user to cause system instability through carefully constructed inputs.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant denial of service risk for virtualization environments that rely on libvirt for managing virtual machine interfaces. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it can affect the entire virtualization infrastructure, potentially causing cascading failures in cloud deployments and data center environments. The attack vector requires only an unprivileged client connection to the libvirt daemon, making it particularly dangerous in multi-tenant environments where guest users might have access to virtualization management interfaces. This vulnerability can be classified under ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which deals with Network Denial of Service, and T1068, which covers Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as the DoS condition can be leveraged to disrupt critical infrastructure services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-1441 should focus on immediate patch application to address the underlying buffer overflow condition in libvirt's udev interface handling. System administrators should implement network segmentation to limit access to libvirt daemon interfaces and enforce strict access controls for virtualization management endpoints. Additionally, monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unusual patterns in interface enumeration requests that might indicate exploitation attempts. The fix requires proper array boundary validation and input sanitization within the udevListInterfacesByStatus() function, ensuring that all array access operations include appropriate bounds checking before data processing occurs. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all virtualization environments.