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CVE Record

CVE-2018-20815: In QEMU 3.1.0, load_device_tree in device_tree.c calls the deprecated load_image function, which has a buff...

In QEMU 3.1.0, load_device_tree in device_tree.c calls the deprecated load_image function, which has a buffer overflow risk.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2018-20815 is a QEMU buffer overflow risk in device-tree loading. It matters for organizations running QEMU-based virtualization, especially older 3.1.0-era packages. Public sources show vendor security updates, but no cited source here confirms active exploitation.

Executive priority

Treat as a patch-management issue for virtualization infrastructure. Prioritize internet-facing management environments and shared virtualization platforms, but avoid emergency response unless internal exposure or vendor guidance indicates higher risk.

Technical view

In QEMU 3.1.0, load_device_tree in device_tree.c used the deprecated load_image function, creating a buffer overflow risk. An upstream commit and multiple 2019 Red Hat, Fedora, and Debian advisories address QEMU updates related to this CVE.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on systems running QEMU 3.1.0 or downstream QEMU packages not updated after the referenced 2019 advisories. The source bundle does not provide complete affected version ranges or CPEs.

Exploitation context

The sources describe a buffer overflow risk but do not provide exploit details. CISA KEV status is false in the provided data, and no cited source confirms active exploitation.

Researcher notes

Evidence is sparse: no CVSS, CWE, complete affected matrix, or exploitation confirmation is present. Analysis should focus on QEMU device-tree loading paths, downstream backports, and whether deployed builds include the referenced upstream change.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply QEMU security updates from your Linux distribution or virtualization vendor.
  • Prioritize Red Hat, Fedora, and Debian advisories listed for this CVE.
  • Upgrade unsupported QEMU builds to a maintained release containing the upstream fix.
  • If using custom QEMU builds, confirm the referenced upstream commit is included.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory QEMU versions across hosts, appliances, and embedded virtualization stacks.
  • Compare installed packages against Red Hat, Fedora, or Debian advisory fixed packages.
  • For source builds, verify inclusion of upstream commit da885fe1ee8b4589047484bd7fa05a4905b52b17.
  • Document systems still running QEMU 3.1.0-era code for remediation tracking.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
6

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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CVE-2018-20815 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
13Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.