CVE-2020-14378 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE record discusses an integer underflow vulnerability in dpdk versions before 18.11.10 and before 19.11.5, potentially leading to CPU cycles being consumed in a long running loop.

Understanding CVE-2020-14378

What is CVE-2020-14378?

An integer underflow in the

move_desc

function in dpdk versions before 18.11.10 and before 19.11.5 could result in a significant consumption of CPU cycles, potentially causing a loop iteration issue.

The Impact of CVE-2020-14378

The vulnerability could allow an attacker to trigger a 4,294,967,295-count iteration loop in the

move_desc

function, potentially affecting the performance of other VMs or network tasks utilizing the DPDK lcore.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-14378

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from an integer underflow in the

move_desc

function in dpdk versions before 18.11.10 and before 19.11.5.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: n/a
Product: dpdk
Vulnerable Versions: All dpdk versions before 18.11.10 and before 19.11.5

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to cause the

move_desc

function to enter a long-running loop, potentially impacting the performance of other VMs or network tasks.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to dpdk versions 18.11.10 or 19.11.5 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor system performance for any unusual CPU consumption that could indicate exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security updates and patches provided by dpdk to address known vulnerabilities.