CVE-2020-16120 : What You Need to Know

This CVE-2020-16120 article provides insights into the unprivileged overlay + shiftfs read access vulnerability in the Linux kernel.

Understanding CVE-2020-16120

This section delves into the details of the vulnerability and its impact.

What is CVE-2020-16120?

Overlayfs lacked proper permission checking during file copying, allowing exploitation within a user namespace, potentially leading to unauthorized file access.

The Impact of CVE-2020-16120

The vulnerability could enable unprivileged users to copy files to mountpoints they control, posing a risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-16120

Explore the technical aspects of the CVE-2020-16120 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Overlayfs failed to enforce permission checks during file copying, potentially allowing unprivileged users to access restricted files.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: Linux kernel
Affected Version: 5.11-stable (version less than 5.11.0)

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability could be exploited within a user namespace, particularly if unprivileged user namespaces were permitted, enabling unauthorized file access.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2020-16120.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Linux kernel to version 5.11 or higher to patch the vulnerability.
Implement proper file permission settings to restrict unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update the kernel to address security vulnerabilities promptly.
Enforce the principle of least privilege to limit user access rights.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates to maintain a secure system.