CVE-2025-8860
Description
A flaw was found in QEMU in the uefi-vars virtual device. When the guest writes to register UEFI_VARS_REG_BUFFER_SIZE, the .write callback uefi_vars_write is invoked. The function allocates a heap buffer without zeroing the memory, leaving the buffer filled with residual data from prior allocations. When the guest later reads from register UEFI_VARS_REG_PIO_BUFFER_TRANSFER, the .read callback uefi_vars_read returns leftover metadata or other sensitive process memory from the previously allocated buffer, leading to an information disclosure vulnerability.
Statement
The qemu-kvm packages shipped in Red Hat Enterprise Linux and RHEL Advanced Virtualization are not affected by this CVE because they didn't provide support for the UEFI variable service (uefi-vars virtual device).
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
The following CVSS metrics and score provided are preliminary and subject to review.
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 3.3 | N/A | 3.3 |
| Attack Vector | Local | N/A | Local |
| Attack Complexity | Low | N/A | Low |
| Privileges Required | Low | N/A | Low |
| User Interaction | None | N/A | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | Low | N/A | Low |
| Integrity Impact | None | N/A | None |
| Availability Impact | None | N/A | None |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Confidentiality
Technical Impact: Read Files or Directories; Read Application Data
Sensitive data may be exposed to an unauthorized actor in another control sphere. This may have a wide range of secondary consequences that will depend on what data is exposed. One possibility is the exposure of system data - such as file locations, software versions, or device data - that allow an attacker to craft a specific, more effective attack. Alternately, insufficient redaction of Private Personal Information (PPI), Personally Identifiable Information (PII), or other types of information might not harm the secure operation of the product itself, but could be violations of expectations by the product's users.
Acknowledgements
Red Hat would like to thank ZDI (zdi-disclosures@trendmicro.com) for reporting this issue.
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