CVE-2017-15038: Race Condition
Last updated 25 August 2025
Other sources
Quick Emulator(Qemu) built with the VirtFS, host directory sharing via Plan 9 File System(9pfs) support, is vulnerable to an information disclosure issue. It could occur while accessing extended attributes of a file due to a race condition.
A user inside guest could use this flaw to disclose uninitialised heap memory contents on the host.
Upstream patch: --------------- -> https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/qemu-devel/2017-10/msg00729.html
Reference: ---------- -> http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/10/06/1
Race condition in the v9fsxattrwalk function in hw/9pfs/9p.c in QEMU (aka Quick Emulator) allows local guest OS users to obtain sensitive information from host heap memory via vectors related to reading extended attributes.
— Launchpad
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Upgrade
Upgrade
debian/qemuto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 1:5.2+dfsg-11+deb11u3Fixed in 1:5.2+dfsg-11+deb11u5Fixed in 1:7.2+dfsg-7+deb12u18Fixed in 1:7.2+dfsg-7+deb12u15Fixed in 1:10.0.11+ds-0+deb13u1Fixed in 1:10.0.2+ds-2+deb13u1Fixed in 1:11.0.2+ds-2
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2017-15038?
The severity of CVE-2017-15038 is classified as medium due to its impact on information disclosure.
How do I fix CVE-2017-15038?
To fix CVE-2017-15038, update QEMU to versions 1:5.2+dfsg-11+deb11u3, 1:5.2+dfsg-11+deb11u2, 1:7.2+dfsg-7+deb12u12, or later.
Which versions of QEMU are affected by CVE-2017-15038?
Affected versions of QEMU include those prior to 2.9.1 and from 1:2.1+dfsg-11 to 1:2.10.0+dfsg-1.
Can guest users exploit CVE-2017-15038?
Yes, guest users can exploit CVE-2017-15038 to potentially access restricted information by exploiting the race condition.
What is the nature of the vulnerability in CVE-2017-15038?
CVE-2017-15038 is an information disclosure vulnerability that occurs during access to extended file attributes in a VirtFS setup.