CVE-2020-28941 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Discover the impact of CVE-2020-28941, a Linux kernel vulnerability allowing local denial of service attacks. Learn about affected systems, exploitation, and mitigation steps.
An issue was discovered in drivers/accessibility/speakup/spk_ttyio.c in the Linux kernel through 5.9.9. Local attackers on systems with the speakup driver could cause a local denial of service attack, aka CID-d41227544427. This occurs because of an invalid free when the line discipline is used more than once.
Understanding CVE-2020-28941
This CVE identifies a vulnerability in the Linux kernel that could be exploited by local attackers to trigger a denial of service attack.
What is CVE-2020-28941?
CVE-2020-28941 is a vulnerability in the Linux kernel that allows local attackers to perform a denial of service attack on systems with the speakup driver.
The Impact of CVE-2020-28941
The vulnerability could lead to a local denial of service attack, affecting the availability of the system and potentially disrupting normal operations.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-28941
This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability exists in the speakup driver in the Linux kernel, allowing local attackers to trigger a denial of service attack through an invalid free operation.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Systems running the Linux kernel through version 5.9.9
- Systems with the speakup driver enabled
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability is exploited by local attackers utilizing the speakup driver to perform an invalid free operation, leading to a denial of service condition.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2020-28941 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply patches provided by the Linux kernel maintainers promptly
- Disable the speakup driver if not essential for system operations
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update the Linux kernel to the latest stable version
- Implement proper access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect unusual behavior
Patching and Updates
- Keep the Linux kernel up to date with the latest security patches
- Monitor official sources for vulnerability alerts and apply relevant patches in a timely manner