CVE-2020-12829

What it is

In QEMU through 5.0.0, an integer overflow was found in the SM501 display driver implementation. This flaw occurs in the COPY_AREA macro while handling MMIO write operations through the sm501_2d_engine_write() callback. A local attacker could abuse this flaw to crash the QEMU process in sm501_2d_operation() in hw/display/sm501.c on the host, resulting in a denial of service.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine with a low-privilege account. Limited direct impact.

Exploit odds

0.4% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2020-08-31 15:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 02:52 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.4% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 3.8 LOW (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2020-08-31 15:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 02:52 UTC

Exploit probability

0.4% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-190 · Integer overflow

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Qemu ≤ 5.0.1
• Canonical Ubuntu Linux 16.04
• Canonical Ubuntu Linux 18.04
• Canonical Ubuntu Linux 20.04
• Debian Linux 10.0

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 3.8

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

None

Scope

Changed

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

None

Availability

Low

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2020-12829.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2020-12829. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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