Description
The drive_init function in QEMU 0.9.1 determines the format of a raw disk image based on the header, which allows local guest users to read arbitrary files on the host by modifying the header to identify a different format, which is used when the guest is restarted.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | qemu | 0.9.1-5 | — |
| Debian 13 | qemu | 0.9.1-5 | — |
| Debian 12 | qemu | 0.9.1-5 | — |
| Debian 5.0 | kvm | 60+dfsg-1+lenny1 | DTSA-133-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | xen +1 | 3.0.3-41.el5_1.5 | RHSA-2008:0194 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Rhel Virtualization 5 | xen +1 | 3.0.3-41.el5_1.5 | RHSA-2008:0194 |
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2008:0194 Red Hat Security Advisory: xen security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DTSA-133-1 kvm - multiple vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 35062 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2008:0194 vendor-advisory
- 29101 vdb-entry
- [Qemu-devel] 20080428 [4277] add format= to drive options (CVE-2008-2004) mailing-list
- MDVSA-2008:162 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:11021 vdb-entry signature
- USN-776-1 vendor-advisory
- http://svn.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/?view=rev&root=qemu&revision=4277
- 29963 third-party-advisory
- 29129 third-party-advisory
- 30111 third-party-advisory
- qemu-driveinit-security-bypass(42268) vdb-entry
- SUSE-SR:2008:013 vendor-advisory
- 30717 third-party-advisory