CVE-2020-15436: Use After Free

Published Jun 8, 2020
·
Updated

A use-after-free flaw was observed in blkdevget(), in fs/blockdev.c after a call to blkdevget() fails, and its refcount gets freed/released. This problem may cause a denial of service problem with a special user privilege, and may even lead to a confidentiality issue.

Other sources

In blkdevget of blockdev.c, there is a possible memory corruption due to a use after free. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.

— OSV

Use-after-free vulnerability in fs/blockdev.c in the Linux kernel before 5.8 allows local users to gain privileges or cause a denial of service by leveraging improper access to a certain error field.

Affected Software

154 affected componentsFixes available
redhat/kernel-rt<0:3.10.0-1160.15.2.rt56.1152.el7
0:3.10.0-1160.15.2.rt56.1152.el7
redhat/kernel<0:3.10.0-1160.15.2.el7
0:3.10.0-1160.15.2.el7
redhat/kernel-alt<0:4.14.0-115.35.1.el7a
0:4.14.0-115.35.1.el7a
redhat/kernel<0:3.10.0-957.72.1.el7
0:3.10.0-957.72.1.el7
redhat/kernel<0:3.10.0-1062.51.1.el7
0:3.10.0-1062.51.1.el7
debian/linux
5.10.223-15.10.234-16.1.129-16.1.133-16.12.21-16.12.22-1
Linux Linux kernel>=2.6.38<4.4.229
Linux Linux kernel>=4.5<4.9.229
Linux Linux kernel>=4.10<4.14.186
Linux Linux kernel>=4.15<4.19.130
Linux Linux kernel>=4.20<5.4.49
Linux Linux kernel>=5.5<5.7.6
Broadcom Brocade Fabric Operating System Firmware
NetApp Cloud Backup
NetApp Solidfire \& Hci Management Node
All of the following
NetApp Solidfire Baseboard Management Controller Firmware
NetApp Solidfire Baseboard Management Controller
All of the following
NetApp H410c Firmware
NetApp H410c
All of the following
NetApp H610c Firmware
NetApp H610c
All of the following
NetApp H610s Firmware
NetApp H610s
All of the following
NetApp H615c Firmware
NetApp H615c
All of the following
NetApp A700s Firmware
NetApp A700s
All of the following
NetApp Aff 8700 Firmware
NetApp Aff 8700
All of the following
NetApp Fas 8700 Firmware
NetApp Fas 8700
All of the following
NetApp Aff 8300 Firmware
NetApp Aff 8300
All of the following
NetApp Fas 8300 Firmware
NetApp Fas 8300
All of the following
NetApp Aff A400 Firmware
NetApp Aff A400
All of the following
NetApp Fabric-attached Storage A400 Firmware
NetApp Fabric-attached Storage A400
All of the following
NetApp A250 Firmware
NetApp A250
All of the following
NetApp Aff 500f Firmware
NetApp Aff 500f
All of the following
NetApp Fas 500f Firmware
NetApp Fas 500f
NetApp Solidfire Baseboard Management Controller Firmware
NetApp Solidfire Baseboard Management Controller
NetApp H410c Firmware
NetApp H410c
NetApp H610c Firmware
NetApp H610c
NetApp H610s Firmware
NetApp H610s
NetApp H615c Firmware
NetApp H615c
NetApp A700s Firmware
NetApp A700s
NetApp Aff 8700 Firmware
NetApp Aff 8700
NetApp Fas 8700 Firmware
NetApp Fas 8700
NetApp Aff 8300 Firmware
NetApp Aff 8300
NetApp Fas 8300 Firmware
NetApp Fas 8300
NetApp Aff A400 Firmware
NetApp Aff A400
NetApp Fabric-attached Storage A400 Firmware
NetApp Fabric-attached Storage A400
NetApp A250 Firmware
NetApp A250
NetApp Aff 500f Firmware
NetApp Aff 500f
NetApp Fas 500f Firmware
NetApp Fas 500f
Google Android
android/:linux_kernel:>=:0<:2021-04-05
:2021-04-05
ubuntu/linux-aws<4.4.0-1076.80
4.4.0-1076.80
ubuntu/linux-azure<4.15.0-1093.103~14.04.1
4.15.0-1093.103~14.04.1
ubuntu/linux-lts-xenial<4.4.0-187.217~14.04.1
4.4.0-187.217~14.04.1
ubuntu/linux*
ubuntu/linux<4.4.0-187.217
4.4.0-187.217
ubuntu/linux-aws<4.4.0-1112.124
4.4.0-1112.124
ubuntu/linux-aws-hwe<4.15.0-1080.84~16.04.1
4.15.0-1080.84~16.04.1
ubuntu/linux-azure<4.15.0-1093.103~16.04.1
4.15.0-1093.103~16.04.1
ubuntu/linux-gcp<4.15.0-1081.92~16.04.1
4.15.0-1081.92~16.04.1
ubuntu/linux-hwe<4.15.0-115.116~16.04.1
4.15.0-115.116~16.04.1
ubuntu/linux-kvm<4.4.0-1078.85
4.4.0-1078.85
ubuntu/linux-oracle<4.15.0-1051.55~16.04.1
4.15.0-1051.55~16.04.1
ubuntu/linux-raspi2<4.4.0-1137.146
4.4.0-1137.146
ubuntu/linux-snapdragon<4.4.0-1141.149
4.4.0-1141.149
ubuntu/linux-hwe-edge*
ubuntu/linux-fips<4.4.0-1044.49
4.4.0-1044.49
ubuntu/linux-fips*
ubuntu/linux<4.15.0-115.116
4.15.0-115.116
ubuntu/linux-aws<4.15.0-1080.84
4.15.0-1080.84
ubuntu/linux-aws-5.4<5.4.0-1022.22~18.04.1
5.4.0-1022.22~18.04.1
ubuntu/linux-azure-4.15<4.15.0-1093.103
4.15.0-1093.103
ubuntu/linux-azure-5.4<5.4.0-1023.23~18.04.1
5.4.0-1023.23~18.04.1
ubuntu/linux-gcp-4.15<4.15.0-1081.92
4.15.0-1081.92
ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.4<5.4.0-1022.22~18.04.1
5.4.0-1022.22~18.04.1
ubuntu/linux-gke-4.15<4.15.0-1067.70
4.15.0-1067.70
ubuntu/linux-gke-5.0<5.0.0-1046.47
5.0.0-1046.47
ubuntu/linux-gke-5.3<5.3.0-1033.35
5.3.0-1033.35
ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.4<5.4.0-45.49~18.04.2
5.4.0-45.49~18.04.2
ubuntu/linux-kvm<4.15.0-1072.73
4.15.0-1072.73
ubuntu/linux-oem<4.15.0-1094.104
4.15.0-1094.104
ubuntu/linux-oem-osp1<5.0.0-1067.72
5.0.0-1067.72
ubuntu/linux-oracle<4.15.0-1051.55
4.15.0-1051.55
ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.4<5.4.0-1022.22~18.04.1
5.4.0-1022.22~18.04.1
ubuntu/linux-raspi-5.4<5.4.0-1016.17~18.04.1
5.4.0-1016.17~18.04.1
ubuntu/linux-raspi2<4.15.0-1068.72
4.15.0-1068.72
ubuntu/linux-raspi2-5.3<5.3.0-1032.34
5.3.0-1032.34
ubuntu/linux-snapdragon<4.15.0-1084.92
4.15.0-1084.92
ubuntu/linux-aws-5.0*
ubuntu/linux-aws-5.3*
ubuntu/linux-azure*
ubuntu/linux-azure-5.3*
ubuntu/linux-azure-edge*
ubuntu/linux-gcp*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.3*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-edge*
ubuntu/linux-hwe*
ubuntu/linux-hwe-edge*
ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.0*
ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.3*
ubuntu/linux-aws-fips<4.15.0-2025.25
4.15.0-2025.25
ubuntu/linux-azure-fips<4.15.0-2007.8
4.15.0-2007.8
ubuntu/linux-fips<4.15.0-1039.44
4.15.0-1039.44
ubuntu/linux-aws-fips*
ubuntu/linux-azure-fips*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips*
ubuntu/linux<5.4.0-45.49
5.4.0-45.49
ubuntu/linux-aws<5.4.0-1022.22
5.4.0-1022.22
ubuntu/linux-azure<5.4.0-1023.23
5.4.0-1023.23
ubuntu/linux-gcp<5.4.0-1022.22
5.4.0-1022.22
ubuntu/linux-kvm<5.4.0-1021.21
5.4.0-1021.21
ubuntu/linux-oem-5.6<5.6.0-1048.52
5.6.0-1048.52
ubuntu/linux-oracle<5.4.0-1022.22
5.4.0-1022.22
ubuntu/linux-raspi<5.4.0-1016.17
5.4.0-1016.17
ubuntu/linux-riscv<5.4.0-31.35
5.4.0-31.35
ubuntu/linux-azure-fde*
ubuntu/linux-gke*
ubuntu/linux-raspi2*
ubuntu/linux-aws-fips<5.4.0-1069.73+fips2
5.4.0-1069.73+fips2
ubuntu/linux-azure-fips<5.4.0-1073.76+fips1
5.4.0-1073.76+fips1
ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips<5.4.0-1067.71~20.04.1
5.4.0-1067.71~20.04.1
ubuntu/linux-aws-fips*
ubuntu/linux-azure-fips*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips*
ubuntu/linux-intel-iot-realtime*
ubuntu/linux-realtime*
ubuntu/linux-riscv*
ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtime*

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 0:3.10.0-1160.15.2.rt56.1152.el7
  2. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 0:3.10.0-1160.15.2.el7
  3. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 0:4.14.0-115.35.1.el7a
  4. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 0:3.10.0-957.72.1.el7
  5. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 0:3.10.0-1062.51.1.el7
  6. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 5.10.223-1Fixed in 5.10.234-1Fixed in 6.1.129-1Fixed in 6.1.133-1Fixed in 6.12.21-1Fixed in 6.12.22-1
  7. Upgrade

    Upgrade android/:linux_kernel: to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in :2021-04-05
  8. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.4.0-1076.80
  9. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-1093.103~14.04.1
  10. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-lts-xenial to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.4.0-187.217~14.04.1
  11. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 4.4.0-187.217
  12. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.4.0-1112.124
  13. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-hwe to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-1080.84~16.04.1
  14. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-1093.103~16.04.1
  15. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-1081.92~16.04.1
  16. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-hwe to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-115.116~16.04.1
  17. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-kvm to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.4.0-1078.85
  18. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-1051.55~16.04.1
  19. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-raspi2 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.4.0-1137.146
  20. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-snapdragon to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.4.0-1141.149
  21. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.4.0-1044.49
  22. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 4.15.0-115.116
  23. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-1080.84
  24. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-5.4 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1022.22~18.04.1
  25. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-4.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-1093.103
  26. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-5.4 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1023.23~18.04.1
  27. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-4.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-1081.92
  28. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.4 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1022.22~18.04.1
  29. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gke-4.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-1067.70
  30. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gke-5.0 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.0.0-1046.47
  31. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gke-5.3 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.3.0-1033.35
  32. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.4 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-45.49~18.04.2
  33. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-kvm to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-1072.73
  34. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oem to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-1094.104
  35. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oem-osp1 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.0.0-1067.72
  36. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-1051.55
  37. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.4 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1022.22~18.04.1
  38. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-raspi-5.4 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1016.17~18.04.1
  39. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-raspi2 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-1068.72
  40. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-raspi2-5.3 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.3.0-1032.34
  41. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-snapdragon to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-1084.92
  42. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-2025.25
  43. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-2007.8
  44. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-1039.44
  45. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 5.4.0-45.49
  46. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1022.22
  47. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1023.23
  48. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1022.22
  49. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-kvm to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1021.21
  50. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oem-5.6 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.6.0-1048.52
  51. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1022.22
  52. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-raspi to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1016.17
  53. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-riscv to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-31.35
  54. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1069.73+fips2
  55. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1073.76+fips1
  56. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1067.71~20.04.1
  57. Upgrade

    Upgrade Linux kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.8

Event History

Jun 8, 2020
CVE Published
12:00 AM
Nov 23, 2020
CVE Published
via MITRE·08:08 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·08:08 PM
DescriptionWeakness
Data Sourced
via OSV·09:15 PM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Nov 24, 2020
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·04:29 PM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Apr 1, 2021
Advisory Published
via OSV·12:00 AM
Apr 5, 2021
Data Sourced
via Android·12:00 AM
SeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Aug 29, 2023
Exploit Published
via GitHub·10:53 AM

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2020-15436?

CVE-2020-15436 is classified as a moderate severity vulnerability that can lead to denial of service and potential confidentiality issues.

2

How do I fix CVE-2020-15436?

To fix CVE-2020-15436, update the affected kernel packages to the recommended versions or later, specifically the version 0:3.10.0-1160.15.2.rt56.1152.el7 or equivalent for your distribution.

3

Which systems are affected by CVE-2020-15436?

CVE-2020-15436 affects various versions of the Linux kernel and specific configurations of the Red Hat kernel and kernel-rt.

4

What are the potential impacts of CVE-2020-15436?

Exploiting CVE-2020-15436 may allow an attacker to cause a denial of service or potentially lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information.

5

Is there a specific user privilege required to exploit CVE-2020-15436?

Yes, exploiting CVE-2020-15436 requires special user privileges, making it less likely for casual users to leverage this vulnerability.

Company

Resources

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203