CVE intelligence and bounded remediation

CVE-2024-8178 — The ctl_write_buffer and ctl_read_buffer functions allocated memory to be returned to userspace, without initializing it

Critical CVSS 9.3

The ctl_write_buffer and ctl_read_buffer functions allocated memory to be returned to userspace, without initializing it. Malicious software running in a guest VM that exposes virtio_scsi can exploit the vulnerabilities to achieve code execution on the host in the bhyve userspace process, which typically runs as root. Note that bhyve runs in a Capsicum sandbox, so malicious code is constrained by the capabilities available to the bhyve process. A malicious iSCSI initiator could achieve remote code execution on the iSCSI target host.

Severity
Critical
CVSS
9.3 (3.1)
Published
2024-09-05
CISA KEV
Not currently listed
Ecosystem
operating-system
Weaknesses
CWE-908, CWE-909

Affected products

  • freebsd / freebsd
  • freebsd / freebsd / 13.3
  • freebsd / freebsd / 13.4
  • freebsd / freebsd / 14.0

Showing 4 representative product identities from 25 source matches. Confirm exact affected versions with the linked vendor and NVD evidence.

Matched remediation archetype

Command, code, expression, and template injection

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Check exposure

  • Trace untrusted values to process execution, interpreters, evaluators, template engines, dynamic imports, and administrative scripting features.
  • Determine whether the affected path is reachable across each trust boundary and which service account or host privilege it inherits.
  • Review configuration for optional execution features, unsafe compatibility modes, and shell invocation.

Remediate safely

  • Replace string-built commands or evaluated code with fixed operations and structured argument APIs that do not invoke a shell.
  • Use strict allowlists for operation identifiers and reject unexpected input before it reaches any interpreter.
  • Update the affected component and add inert regression tests covering metacharacters, encoding variants, and alternate request paths.

Authoritative sources

Complete CVE record and remediation plan

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