kvm: Avoid Speculation-Based Attacks from Out-of-Range Memslot Accesses
Summary
GSD-2021-1000831: kvm: avoid speculation-based attacks from out-of-range memslot accesses. Affects Kernel versions < 3098b86390a6b9ea52657689f08410baf130ceff. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The Kernel package is a critical component of the Linux operating system. It provides the core functionality and acts as an interface between the hardware and software layers. The Kernel package includes various subsystems, such as the KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine), which allows running virtual machines on Linux. KVM utilizes hardware virtualization extensions to provide efficient and secure virtualization. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in KVM that could potentially lead to speculation-based attacks from out-of-range memslot accesses.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in KVM arises from the possibility of speculative execution of instructions that access memory slots beyond their valid range. This speculative execution can occur due to the misprediction of branch instructions or other speculative execution mechanisms. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or execute arbitrary code within the context of the KVM process. The impact and attack plausibility of this vulnerability have not been proven yet, but it is essential to address it to mitigate potential risks.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Conclusion
The vulnerability in KVM that allows speculation-based attacks from out-of-range memslot accesses poses a potential risk to the security of the Linux Kernel package. It is recommended to update the Kernel package to version v4.4.273 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can reach out to DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for Kernel →
FAQ
The impact of this vulnerability could potentially allow an attacker to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or execute arbitrary code within the context of the KVM process.
You can use the Vulert Playground (https://vulert.com/scanner) to check if your system is affected by this vulnerability. Vulert monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities, and you can upload your manifest file (e.g., package-lock.json) to check for vulnerabilities without requiring access to the code or installation.
No specific workaround has been provided for this vulnerability. It is recommended to update the Linux Kernel package to the latest version to mitigate the risk.
There are no known exploits for this vulnerability at the moment. However, it is crucial to address the vulnerability promptly to prevent any potential exploitation.
You can refer to the vulnerability details in the Open Source Vulnerability format provided by the Cloud Security Alliance's GSD database. The source link for this vulnerability is available at https://github.com/cloudsecurityalliance/gsd-database/blob/main/2021/1000xxx/GSD-2021-1000831.json.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for Kernel.
