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CVE-2009-1242

4.9 · MEDIUM

The vmx_set_msr function in arch/x86/kvm/vmx.c in the VMX implementation in the KVM subsystem in the Linux kernel before 2.6.29.1 on the i386 platform allows guest OS users to cause a denial of ser…

Published Apr 6, 2009linuxCWE-20EPSS 0.47%

Overview

CVE-2009-1242 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting linux linux_kernel. It was published on April 6, 2009 and has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 4.9 (MEDIUM).

This vulnerability has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 4.9, rated MEDIUM. It requires local or adjacent network access to exploit. No authentication or special privileges are required for exploitation.

Technical description

The vmx_set_msr function in arch/x86/kvm/vmx.c in the VMX implementation in the KVM subsystem in the Linux kernel before 2.6.29.1 on the i386 platform allows guest OS users to cause a denial of service (OOPS) by setting the EFER_LME (aka "Long mode enable") bit in the Extended Feature Enable Register (EFER) model-specific register, which is specific to the x86_64 platform.

Remediation

Check the references section for vendor advisories and patches from linux. Update linux_kernel to the latest patched version. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

Affected products

VendorProductVersionsStatus
linuxlinux_kernel>= 0, < 2.6.29.1Affected

References

Refgit.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=16175a796d061833aacfbd9672235f2d2725df65Reflists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2009-06/msg00001.htmlReflists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2009-06/msg00002.htmlRefopenwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/04/01/3Refpatchwork.kernel.org/patch/15549/Refsecunia.com/advisories/34478Refsecunia.com/advisories/34981Refsecunia.com/advisories/35120Refsecunia.com/advisories/35121Refsecunia.com/advisories/35226

How CyberStrike helps

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2009-1242?

CVE-2009-1242 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting linux linux_kernel. It was published on April 6, 2009 and has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 4.9 (MEDIUM).

How severe is CVE-2009-1242?

This vulnerability has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 4.9, rated MEDIUM. It requires local or adjacent network access to exploit. No authentication or special privileges are required for exploitation.

How do I fix or remediate CVE-2009-1242?

Check the references section for vendor advisories and patches from linux. Update linux_kernel to the latest patched version. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

How can CyberStrike help with CVE-2009-1242?

CyberStrike is an open-source, AI-augmented pentesting engine. Rather than flag a version number, it tests whether an issue like CVE-2009-1242 is actually reachable in your own applications and APIs, then verifies each finding before reporting it. That tells you if the weakness is a real, exploitable risk in your environment or a false positive you can safely deprioritize.

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