CVE-2020-8647: Use After Free

Published Jan 30, 2020
·
Updated

A flaw was found in the Linux kernel’s virtual console resize functionality. An attacker with local access to virtual consoles can use the virtual console resizing code to gather kernel internal data structures.

Other sources

An out of bounds read vulnerability in the virtual console/virtual terminal resize functionality. An attacker with a local account can use the resize functionality to possibly leak kernel internal information to the local console which may be captured for use in a further attack to increase the reliability and successfulness of the next attack.

Reference: Kernel Bugzilla: https://bugzilla.kernel.org/showbug.cgi?id=206359 Proposed patch: https://lkml.org/lkml/2020/3/1/415

Red Hat

There is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel through 5.5.2 in the vcdoresize function in drivers/tty/vt/vt.c.

Affected Software

12 affected componentsFixes available
redhat/kernel-rt<0:3.10.0-1160.rt56.1131.el7
0:3.10.0-1160.rt56.1131.el7
redhat/kernel<0:3.10.0-1160.el7
0:3.10.0-1160.el7
redhat/kernel-rt<0:4.18.0-240.rt7.54.el8
0:4.18.0-240.rt7.54.el8
redhat/kernel<0:4.18.0-240.el8
0:4.18.0-240.el8
redhat/kernel-rt<0:4.18.0-193.80.1.rt13.130.el8_2
0:4.18.0-193.80.1.rt13.130.el8_2
redhat/kernel<0:4.18.0-193.80.1.el8_2
0:4.18.0-193.80.1.el8_2
debian/linux
4.19.249-24.19.289-25.10.197-15.10.191-16.1.66-16.1.69-16.5.13-16.6.9-1
Google Android
Linux Linux kernel<=5.5.2
Debian Debian Linux=8.0
Debian Debian Linux=9.0
openSUSE Leap=15.1

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.rt56.1131.el7
  2. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 0:3.10.0-1160.el7
  3. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 0:4.18.0-240.rt7.54.el8
  4. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 0:4.18.0-240.el8
  5. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 0:4.18.0-193.80.1.rt13.130.el8_2
  6. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 0:4.18.0-193.80.1.el8_2
  7. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 4.19.249-2Fixed in 4.19.289-2Fixed in 5.10.197-1Fixed in 5.10.191-1Fixed in 6.1.66-1Fixed in 6.1.69-1Fixed in 6.5.13-1Fixed in 6.6.9-1
  8. Upgrade

    Upgrade linux kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Patch 206359
  9. Compensating control

    Prevent users from logging into the local virtual console (deny local console login). Use the referenced Red Hat instructions on disabling local login and the pam_console section to deny users logging into the console.

Event History

Jan 30, 2020
CVE Published
12:00 AM
Feb 6, 2020
CVE Published
via MITRE·12:06 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·12:06 AM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·01:15 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Feb 13, 2020
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·12:04 PM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Jun 1, 2020
Data Sourced
via Android·12:00 AM
SeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2020-8647?

The severity of CVE-2020-8647 is assessed as medium with a CVSS score of 6.1.

2

How do I fix CVE-2020-8647?

To fix CVE-2020-8647, update to the latest kernel version provided by your Linux distribution.

3

Can CVE-2020-8647 be exploited remotely?

No, CVE-2020-8647 requires local access to virtual consoles to be exploited.

4

What types of systems are affected by CVE-2020-8647?

CVE-2020-8647 affects various Linux distributions including Red Hat, Debian, Google Android, and openSUSE Leap.

5

What kind of vulnerability is CVE-2020-8647?

CVE-2020-8647 is an out of bounds read vulnerability leading to potential information leakage from the Linux kernel.

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