The PV domain builder in Xen 4.2 and earlier does not validate the size of the kernel or…
Priority LOW 12CWE-20Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- — Not recorded in CVSS 2.0
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · None · Partial
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 2.0 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat.
Summary
The PV domain builder in Xen 4.2 and earlier does not validate the size of the kernel or ramdisk (1) before or (2) after decompression, which allows local guest administrators to cause a denial of service (domain 0 memory consumption) via a crafted (a) kernel or (b) ramdisk.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.0042 36th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Fixed Red Hat: 1 advisory
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | all versions | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- — Vendor— Affected all versions Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 5
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:xen:xen:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | up to 4.2.0 | Vulnerable | Xen |
| cpe:2.3:o:xen:xen:4.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 4.1.0 | Vulnerable | Xen |
| cpe:2.3:o:xen:xen:4.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 4.1.1 | Vulnerable | Xen |
| cpe:2.3:o:xen:xen:4.1.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 4.1.2 | Vulnerable | Xen |
| cpe:2.3:o:xen:xen:4.1.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 4.1.3 | Vulnerable | Xen |
- cpe:2.3:o:xen:xen:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions up to 4.2.0 Vulnerable ·Xen
- cpe:2.3:o:xen:xen:4.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 4.1.0 Vulnerable ·Xen
- cpe:2.3:o:xen:xen:4.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 4.1.1 Vulnerable ·Xen
- cpe:2.3:o:xen:xen:4.1.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 4.1.2 Vulnerable ·Xen
- cpe:2.3:o:xen:xen:4.1.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 4.1.3 Vulnerable ·Xen
Remediation
Red Hat 1 advisory
- RHSA-2013:0241 Released 2013-02-07 · Red Hat rating Moderatexen security update
- RHEL Virtualization (v. 5 server) xen-3.0.3-142.el5_9.1, xen-3.0.3-142.el5_9.1.i386, xen-3.0.3-142.el5_9.1.ia64 +3
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux (v. 5 server) xen-3.0.3-142.el5_9.1, xen-libs-3.0.3-142.el5_9.1, xen-libs-3.0.3-142.el5_9.1.i386 +1
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| RHEL Virtualization (v. 5 server) | Fixed | RHSA-2013:0241 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux (v. 5 server) | Fixed | RHSA-2013:0241 |
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2012-4544
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-5vgr-8hw2-wp3h
References
Advisory 12
More Xen vulnerabilities
- TI-2012-00210 The x86-64 kernel system-call functionality in Xen 4.1.2 and earlier, as used in Citrix… CVSS 2.0HIGH 7.2
- TI-2023-07042 Information disclosure through error messages in AMD Ryzen™ 3000 Series Desktop… CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.5
- TI-2015-04333 The C+ mode offload emulation in the RTL8139 network card device model in QEMU, as used… CVSS 2.0HIGH 9.3
- TI-2015-06741 The KVM subsystem in the Linux kernel through 4.2.6, and Xen 4.3.x through 4.6.x, allows… CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
- TI-2018-06436 A statement in the System Programming Guide of the Intel 64 and IA-32 Architectures… CVSS 3.0HIGH 7.8
- TI-2024-20522 x86: Incorrect logic for BTC/SRSO mitigations CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
Sources
- CVE-2012-4544 · CVE Program
- CVE-2012-4544 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-5vgr-8hw2-wp3h · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2012-4544 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences