CVE-2020-14314: Medium severity Linux Linux kernel vulnerability

Published Jun 5, 2020
·
Updated

A memory out of bound read flaw was found in the Linux kernel's ext3/ext4 file system, in the way it accesses directory with broken indexing. This flaw allows a local user to crash the system if such directory exists.

Other sources

A memory out-of-bounds read flaw was found in the Linux kernel before 5.9-rc2 with the ext3/ext4 file system, in the way it accesses a directory with broken indexing. This flaw allows a local user to crash the system if the directory exists. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to system availability.

A memory out-of-bounds read flaw was found in the Linux kernel's ext3/ext4 file system, in the way it accesses a directory with broken indexing. This flaw allows a local user to crash the system if the directory exists. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to system availability.

Affected Software

19 affected componentsFixes available
redhat/kernel-rt<0:3.10.0-1160.11.1.rt56.1145.el7
0:3.10.0-1160.11.1.rt56.1145.el7
redhat/kernel<0:3.10.0-1160.11.1.el7
0:3.10.0-1160.11.1.el7
redhat/kernel-rt<0:4.18.0-305.rt7.72.el8
0:4.18.0-305.rt7.72.el8
redhat/kernel<0:4.18.0-305.el8
0:4.18.0-305.el8
redhat/Linux kernel version<5.9
5.9
Linux Linux kernel<=5.8.9
Linux Linux kernel=5.9.0-rc1
Debian Debian Linux=9.0
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=14.04
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=16.04
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=18.04
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=20.04
Starwindsoftware Starwind Virtual San Vsphere=v8-build12533
Starwindsoftware Starwind Virtual San Vsphere=v8-build12658
Starwindsoftware Starwind Virtual San Vsphere=v8-build12859
Starwindsoftware Starwind Virtual San Vsphere=v8-build13170
Starwindsoftware Starwind Virtual San Vsphere=v8-build13586
Starwindsoftware Starwind Virtual San Vsphere=v8-build13861
debian/linux
5.10.223-15.10.262-16.1.176-16.1.180-16.12.94-16.12.101-17.1.8-17.1.8-2

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/kernel-rt to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:3.10.0-1160.11.1.rt56.1145.el7
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:3.10.0-1160.11.1.el7
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/kernel-rt to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:4.18.0-305.rt7.72.el8
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:4.18.0-305.el8
  5. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/Linux kernel version to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.9
  6. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.10.223-1Fixed in 5.10.262-1Fixed in 6.1.176-1Fixed in 6.1.180-1Fixed in 6.12.94-1Fixed in 6.12.101-1Fixed in 7.1.8-1Fixed in 7.1.8-2
  7. Compensating control

    Run e2fsck with the -Df option on the affected ext3/ext4 partition or image to fix directories with broken indexing that can trigger the out-of-bounds read (e.g., e2fsck -Df .../partition-name).

  8. Operational

    If you expect directories might be broken already, schedule/execute the e2fsck -Df .../partition-name repair before continuing normal operation to reduce the risk of local users crashing the system.

Event History

Jun 5, 2020
CVE Published
04:45 PM
Sep 15, 2020
CVE Published
via MITRE·12:00 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·12:00 AM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·08:15 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Aug 6, 2025
Data Sourced
via Launchpad·04:42 AM
Description
Aug 14, 2026
Data Sourced
via Ubuntu·04:23 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Aug 16, 2026
Data Sourced
via Debian·04:26 PM
DescriptionAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2020-14314?

CVE-2020-14314 has a medium severity rating due to its ability to cause a system crash under specific conditions.

2

How do I fix CVE-2020-14314?

To fix CVE-2020-14314, update your Linux kernel to version 5.10.223-1 or later.

3

What systems are affected by CVE-2020-14314?

CVE-2020-14314 affects various versions of the Linux kernel, specifically those prior to 5.9.

4

Can CVE-2020-14314 be exploited remotely?

CVE-2020-14314 requires local access to the system to exploit, as it pertains to out-of-bounds memory reads.

5

What is the nature of the flaw in CVE-2020-14314?

CVE-2020-14314 is a memory out-of-bounds read flaw in the ext3/ext4 file system due to broken directory indexing.

Contact

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