CVE-2020-12866 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A NULL pointer dereference in SANE Backends before 1.0.30 allows a malicious device connected to the same local network as the victim to cause a denial of service, GHSL-2020-079.

Understanding CVE-2020-12866

A vulnerability in SANE Backends that could lead to a denial of service attack.

What is CVE-2020-12866?

This CVE describes a NULL pointer dereference issue in SANE Backends, enabling an attacker on the local network to trigger a denial of service attack.

The Impact of CVE-2020-12866

The vulnerability allows a malicious device within the victim's local network to exploit the issue, potentially leading to a denial of service.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-12866

Details on the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a NULL pointer dereference in SANE Backends before version 1.0.30, which can be exploited by a device on the same local network to cause a denial of service.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions affected: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker needs to be on the same local network as the victim to exploit this vulnerability.

Mitigation and Prevention

Ways to address and prevent the CVE-2020-12866 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update SANE Backends to version 1.0.30 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement network segmentation to limit exposure to potentially malicious devices.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and firmware to patch known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and address potential weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by the SANE Backends project to fix the vulnerability.