HOME VULNERABILITIESCVE-2015-1779

HIGH

CVE-2015-1779

CWE-400Published: January 12, 2016· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

8.6

CVSS v3.1

Official Description

The VNC websocket frame decoder in QEMU allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory and CPU consumption) via a large (1) websocket payload or (2) HTTP headers section.

Technical Analysis

CVE-2015-1779 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

The vulnerability requires no privileges and no user interaction, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns and worm-like propagation.

A successful exploit results in availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 8.6.

The vulnerability has a "Changed" scope, meaning successful exploitation can impact components beyond the vulnerable component itself — such as the host operating system or adjacent services.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability

Attack VectorNetwork

Attack ComplexityLow

Privileges Req.None

User InteractionNone

ScopeChanged

Impact

ConfidentialityNone

IntegrityNone

AvailabilityHigh

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:N/A:H

Affected Vendors & Products

Canonical1 product(s)

ubuntu linux

Debian1 product(s)

debian linux

Fedora1 product(s)

fedora

Oracle1 product(s)

linux

qemu1 product(s)

qemu

Red Hat7 product(s)

enterprise linux eusenterprise linux serverenterprise linux server ausenterprise linux server tusenterprise linux workstationvirtualizationenterprise linux

Source: NVD CPE · 29 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time

Offensive Security exploit database

GitHub PoC Search

Community PoC repositories

Rapid7 / Metasploit

Metasploit module search

Security advisories & exploits

Official NIST entry

CVE Program entry

External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.

Official Patches & Advisories

PATCHhttps://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/qemu-devel/2015-03/msg04895.html

PATCHhttps://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/qemu-devel/2015-03/msg04896.html

PATCHhttps://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/qemu-devel/2015-03/msg04895.html

PATCHhttps://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/qemu-devel/2015-03/msg04896.html

ADVISORYhttp://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2015-April/154656.html

ADVISORYhttp://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2015-April/155196.html

ADVISORYhttp://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2015-1931.html

ADVISORYhttp://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2015-1943.html

ADVISORYhttp://www.debian.org/security/2015/dsa-3259

ADVISORYhttp://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/03/24/9

ADVISORYhttp://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/04/09/6

ADVISORYhttp://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/linuxbulletinoct2015-2719645.html

ADVISORYhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/73303

ADVISORYhttp://www.securitytracker.com/id/1033975

ADVISORYhttp://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2608-1

ADVISORYhttps://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/qemu-devel/2015-03/msg04894.html

ADVISORYhttps://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201602-01

ADVISORYhttp://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2015-April/154656.html

ADVISORYhttp://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2015-April/155196.html

ADVISORYhttp://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2015-1931.html

ADVISORYhttp://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2015-1943.html

ADVISORYhttp://www.debian.org/security/2015/dsa-3259

ADVISORYhttp://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/03/24/9

ADVISORYhttp://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/04/09/6

ADVISORYhttp://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/linuxbulletinoct2015-2719645.html

ADVISORYhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/73303

ADVISORYhttp://www.securitytracker.com/id/1033975

ADVISORYhttp://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2608-1

ADVISORYhttps://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/qemu-devel/2015-03/msg04894.html

ADVISORYhttps://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201602-01

All References (34)

→

http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2015-April/154656.htmlThird Party Advisory

→

http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2015-April/155196.htmlThird Party Advisory

→

http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2015-05/msg00033.htmlBroken Link

→

http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2015-05/msg00042.htmlBroken Link

→

http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2015-1931.htmlThird Party Advisory

→

http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2015-1943.htmlThird Party Advisory

→

http://www.debian.org/security/2015/dsa-3259Third Party Advisory

→

http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/03/24/9Mailing List · Third Party Advisory

→

http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/04/09/6Mailing List · Third Party Advisory

→

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/linuxbulletinoct2015-2719645.htmlThird Party Advisory

→

http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/73303Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry

→

http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1033975Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry

→

http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2608-1Third Party Advisory

→

https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/qemu-devel/2015-03/msg04894.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory

→

https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/qemu-devel/2015-03/msg04895.htmlMailing List · Patch · Third Party Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2015-1779

CVSS Score8.6 / 10

SeverityHIGH

WeaknessCWE-400

CISA KEVNo

Affected6 vendor(s)

PublishedJan 12, 2016

Related CVEs (CWE-400)

CVE-2017-1000378

Recommended Actions

→Apply vendor patches immediately
→Monitor CVE-2015-1779 in threat intel feeds
→Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts

Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWATCH.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.

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