CVE-2020-13598 : Security Advisory and Response

A buffer overflow vulnerability in Zephyr versions v1.14.2 and v2.3.0 could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or crash the system.

Understanding CVE-2020-13598

This CVE involves a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Zephyr.

What is CVE-2020-13598?

The vulnerability occurs when enabling Long File Names in FAT_FS and calling fs_stat in Zephyr versions v1.14.2 and v2.3.0, leading to a buffer overflow issue (CWE-121).

The Impact of CVE-2020-13598

The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 6.3, indicating a medium severity issue. Attackers with local access can exploit this to disrupt system availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-13598

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is a stack-based buffer overflow (CWE-121) in Zephyr versions v1.14.2 and v2.3.0.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Zephyr
Vendor: Zephyrproject-rtos
Versions: v1.14.2, v2.3.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can trigger the buffer overflow by enabling Long File Names in FAT_FS and calling fs_stat in the affected Zephyr versions.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2020-13598 with these mitigation strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches provided by Zephyrproject-rtos promptly.
Disable Long File Names in FAT_FS if not essential.
Monitor system logs for any unusual activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security audits and code reviews.
Implement secure coding practices to prevent buffer overflows.
Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Zephyr.
Educate developers on secure coding practices.

Patching and Updates

Stay updated with the latest patches and security updates from Zephyrproject-rtos.
Apply patches as soon as they are released to mitigate the vulnerability effectively.