CVE-2015-7512
CWE-120Published: January 8, 2016· Updated: Jun 17, 2026
Official Description
Buffer overflow in the pcnet_receive function in hw/net/pcnet.c in QEMU, when a guest NIC has a larger MTU, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (guest OS crash) or execute arbitrary code via a large packet.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2015-7512 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 complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 9.0.
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
Affected Vendors & Products
Exploit & PoC Resources
Official Patches & Advisories
All References (24)
Quick Facts
Related CVEs (CWE-120)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2015-7512 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts