CVE-2020-29368 : Security Advisory and Response
Discover the impact of CVE-2020-29368, a vulnerability in the Linux kernel before 5.7.5 allowing unintended write access. Learn about mitigation steps and necessary updates.
An issue was discovered in __split_huge_pmd in mm/huge_memory.c in the Linux kernel before 5.7.5. The copy-on-write implementation can grant unintended write access because of a race condition in a THP mapcount check, aka CID-c444eb564fb1.
Understanding CVE-2020-29368
This CVE involves a vulnerability in the Linux kernel that could potentially lead to unintended write access due to a race condition.
What is CVE-2020-29368?
The vulnerability in __split_huge_pmd in mm/huge_memory.c in the Linux kernel before version 5.7.5 allows for unintended write access due to a race condition in a THP mapcount check.
The Impact of CVE-2020-29368
The vulnerability could be exploited to gain unauthorized write access, potentially leading to security breaches and data manipulation.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-29368
This section provides more in-depth technical information about the CVE.
Vulnerability Description
The issue arises from a race condition in the THP mapcount check, enabling unintended write access in the copy-on-write implementation.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Affected System: Linux kernel before version 5.7.5
- Affected Version: Not applicable
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited by leveraging the race condition in the THP mapcount check to gain unauthorized write access.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2020-29368 requires immediate action and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply relevant patches and updates provided by the Linux kernel maintainers.
- Monitor security advisories for any new information or patches related to this vulnerability.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update the Linux kernel to the latest stable version to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
- Implement access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts.
Patching and Updates
- Ensure timely installation of security patches released by the Linux kernel community to address CVE-2020-29368.