CVE-2020-7460 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2020-7460, a FreeBSD vulnerability allowing unauthorized modification of control message headers. Find mitigation steps and long-term security practices here.
In FreeBSD 12.1-STABLE before r363918, 12.1-RELEASE before p8, 11.4-STABLE before r363919, 11.4-RELEASE before p2, and 11.3-RELEASE before p12, a vulnerability exists in the sendmsg system call in the compat32 subsystem on 64-bit platforms. This flaw allows a malicious userspace program to manipulate control message headers after validation.
Understanding CVE-2020-7460
This CVE involves a time-of-check to time-of-use vulnerability in FreeBSD.
What is CVE-2020-7460?
The CVE-2020-7460 vulnerability in FreeBSD allows unauthorized modification of control message headers by a malicious userspace program.
The Impact of CVE-2020-7460
The vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code or disrupt system operations.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-7460
The technical aspects of the CVE-2020-7460 vulnerability are as follows:
Vulnerability Description
The sendmsg system call in the compat32 subsystem on 64-bit platforms in affected FreeBSD versions allows unauthorized modification of control message headers.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Affected Versions: FreeBSD 12.1-RELEASE before p8, 11.4-RELEASE before p2, 11.3-RELEASE before p12
- Systems: FreeBSD
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability arises due to a time-of-check to time-of-use issue in the sendmsg system call, enabling malicious userspace programs to alter control message headers post-validation.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2020-7460, consider the following mitigation strategies:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply the necessary patches provided by FreeBSD promptly.
- Monitor security advisories for updates and follow best practices for system security.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch FreeBSD systems to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
- Implement least privilege access controls and monitor system activity for suspicious behavior.
Patching and Updates
- Stay informed about security updates from FreeBSD and apply patches as soon as they are released to protect systems from potential exploits.