CVE-2020-36313 : Security Advisory and Response

An issue was discovered in the Linux kernel before 5.7. The KVM subsystem allows out-of-range access to memslots after a deletion, aka CID-0774a964ef56. This affects arch/s390/kvm/kvm-s390.c, include/linux/kvm_host.h, and virt/kvm/kvm_main.c.

Understanding CVE-2020-36313

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in the Linux kernel that could lead to out-of-range access to memory slots in the KVM subsystem.

What is CVE-2020-36313?

The CVE-2020-36313 vulnerability in the Linux kernel allows unauthorized access to memory slots after deletion within the KVM subsystem.

The Impact of CVE-2020-36313

This vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or execute arbitrary code on affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-36313

The technical details of this CVE are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The issue allows out-of-range access to memslots after deletion in the KVM subsystem of the Linux kernel.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by malicious actors to access memory slots beyond the intended range, potentially leading to unauthorized access or code execution.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-36313, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches provided by the Linux kernel maintainers.
Monitor for any unauthorized access or unusual system behavior.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update the Linux kernel to the latest stable version.
Implement access controls and restrictions to limit system exposure.

Patching and Updates

Keep the Linux kernel up to date with the latest security patches.