Xen: Protection Mechanism Failure
CVE-2024-31142 is a high-severity protection mechanism failure vulnerability in Xen, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 17.4% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 2.82% of all scored CVEs.
EPSS places it among the vulnerabilities most likely to be exploited soon.
What to do
- Check which version of Xen you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on xenbits.xenproject.org for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xen | Xen | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Fedora Project | Fedora | 38; 40 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CISA (ADP).
Official description
Because of a logical error in XSA-407 (Branch Type Confusion), the mitigation is not applied properly when it is intended to be used. XSA-434 (Speculative Return Stack Overflow) uses the same infrastructure, so is equally impacted. For more details, see: https://xenbits.xen.org/xsa/advisory-407.html https://xenbits.xen.org/xsa/advisory-434.html
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Protection Mechanism Failure
The product does not use or incorrectly uses a protection mechanism that provides sufficient defense against directed attacks against the product.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/D5OK6MH75S7YWD34EWW7QI…Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/RYAZ7P6YFJ2E3FHKAGIKHW…Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in Xen
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
Recent Protection Mechanism Failure vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.