Script Error Opens up Security Hole in Xen 3.0.3
A Red Hat update has just been released to close various vulnerabilities in the Xen virtualization solution, one of which was caused by an error in a Python script.
The vulnerability, which has been assigned the CVE number CVE-2007-4993, is in the tools/pygrub/src/GrubConf.py script and was discovered by Joris van Rantwijk. Security researchers Secunia classify the error as moderately critical. It can be exploited by manipulating the Grub bootloader. A successful attacker would have the ability to execute arbitrary commands in domain 0 which has hardware access.
Tavis Ormandy found another bug (CVE-2007-1320) which triggers a heap overflow on video-to-video copy actions in the Cirrus VGA extension. An administrative user in a guest domain might be able to exploit this to execute malicious code outside their own domain.
The third vulnerability, (CVE-2007-1321), which was also discovered by Ormandy, triggers a heap overflow in the Xen NE2000 network driver. If the driver is used, a local administrator has the ability to execute arbitrary malicious code in other domains. The developers point out that Xen does not use the buggy driver by default.
Red Hat has released an update to close all three security holes. Version 3.0.3 of Xen is affected. It is unclear whether other versions have the bugs. Xen users are advised to update their installations as quickly as possible. Red Hat is currently the only source for the updates.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Cairo Dock 3.6 Now Available for More Compositors
If you're a fan of third-party desktop docks, then the latest release of Cairo Dock with Wayland support is for you.
-
System76 Unleashes Pop!_OS 24.04 Beta
System76's first beta of Pop!_OS 24.04 is an impressive feat.
-
Linux Kernel 6.17 is Available
Linus Torvalds has announced that the latest kernel has been released with plenty of core improvements and even more hardware support.
-
Kali Linux 2025.3 Released with New Hacking Tools
If you're a Kali Linux fan, you'll be glad to know that the third release of this famous pen-testing distribution is now available with updates for key components.
-
Zorin OS 18 Beta Available for Testing
The latest release from the team behind Zorin OS is ready for public testing, and it includes plenty of improvements to make it more powerful, user-friendly, and productive.
-
Fedora Linux 43 Beta Now Available for Testing
Fedora Linux 43 Beta ships with Gnome 49 and KDE Plasma 6.4 (and other goodies).
-
USB4 Maintainer Leaves Intel
Michael Jamet, one of the primary maintainers of USB4 and Thunderbolt drivers, has left Intel, leaving a gaping hole for the Linux community to deal with.
-
Budgie 10.9.3 Now Available
The latest version of this elegant and configurable Linux desktop aligns with changes in Gnome 49.
-
KDE Linux Alpha Available for Daring Users
It's official, KDE Linux has arrived, but it's not quite ready for prime time.
-
AMD Initiates Graphics Driver Updates for Linux Kernel 6.18
This new AMD update focuses on power management, display handling, and hardware support for Radeon GPUs.