LOW
CVE-2020-15859
CWE-416Published: July 21, 2020· Updated: Jun 17, 2026
3.3
CVSS v3.1
Official Description
QEMU 4.2.0 has a use-after-free in hw/net/e1000e_core.c because a guest OS user can trigger an e1000e packet with the data's address set to the e1000e's MMIO address.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2020-15859 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.
Exploitation requires low privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.
From a weakness classification perspective (CWE-416): Use-after-free vulnerabilities involve accessing memory after it has been freed, often enabling arbitrary code execution.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Exploitability
Attack VectorLocal
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.Low
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityNone
IntegrityNone
AvailabilityLow
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L
Affected Vendors & Products
Exploit & PoC Resources
NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.
Official Patches & Advisories
All References (12)
→
https://bugs.launchpad.net/qemu/+bug/1886362Exploit · Issue Tracking · Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/02/msg00024.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2022/09/msg00008.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/qemu-devel/2020-07/msg05304.htmlMailing List · Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202208-27Third Party Advisory
→
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2020/07/21/3Mailing List · Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://bugs.launchpad.net/qemu/+bug/1886362Exploit · Issue Tracking · Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/02/msg00024.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2022/09/msg00008.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/qemu-devel/2020-07/msg05304.htmlMailing List · Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202208-27Third Party Advisory
→
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2020/07/21/3Mailing List · Patch · Third Party Advisory
Quick Facts
CVE IDCVE-2020-15859
CVSS Score3.3 / 10
SeverityLOW
WeaknessCWE-416
CISA KEVNo
Affected2 vendor(s)
PublishedJul 21, 2020
Related CVEs (CWE-416)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2020-15859 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.