CVE-2020-36386 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An issue was discovered in the Linux kernel before 5.8.1. net/bluetooth/hci_event.c has a slab out-of-bounds read in hci_extended_inquiry_result_evt, aka CID-51c19bf3d5cf.

Understanding CVE-2020-36386

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the Linux kernel that could lead to a slab out-of-bounds read.

What is CVE-2020-36386?

The vulnerability in the Linux kernel before version 5.8.1 allows for a slab out-of-bounds read in the hci_extended_inquiry_result_evt function in net/bluetooth/hci_event.c.

The Impact of CVE-2020-36386

This vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to read beyond the allocated buffer, potentially leading to a denial of service or information disclosure.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-36386

This section provides more in-depth technical details about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from a slab out-of-bounds read in the hci_extended_inquiry_result_evt function in net/bluetooth/hci_event.c.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Linux kernel versions before 5.8.1 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious input to trigger the out-of-bounds read.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-36386 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the latest security patches provided by the Linux kernel to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor security advisories for updates and apply them promptly.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch the Linux kernel to address known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the Linux kernel is regularly updated to the latest stable version to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.