Critical I/O Port Permissions Vulnerability in Linux Kernel (CVE-2020-15852)
Summary
UBUNTU-CVE-2020-15852: An issue was discovered in the Linux kernel 5.5 through 5.7.9, as used in Xen through 4.13.x for x86 PV guests. Affects linux versions 3.11.0-12.19 – 3.13.0-98.145. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The Linux kernel is the core component of Linux operating systems, responsible for managing system resources and facilitating communication between hardware and software. It is widely used in various distributions, including Ubuntu. This vulnerability affects specific versions of the kernel, particularly those used in Xen virtualization environments, where it can lead to unauthorized access to I/O port permissions.
Vulnerability Detail
An issue was discovered in the Linux kernel versions 5.5 through 5.7.9, particularly affecting Xen through 4.13.x for x86 PV guests. The vulnerability arises from improper handling in the tss_invalidate_io_bitmap function, which causes a loss of synchronization between the I/O bitmaps of TSS and Xen. This flaw allows an attacker to gain I/O port permissions of an unrelated task, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data or system resources.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, users can limit access to the affected kernel versions by implementing stricter access controls on the system or by disabling the use of Xen virtualization until the kernel is updated.
Conclusion
CVE-2020-15852 represents a significant security risk for systems running vulnerable versions of the Linux kernel, particularly in Xen virtualization environments. It is crucial for users to update their systems promptly to mitigate this risk and protect sensitive data.
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FAQ
CVE-2020-15852 is a vulnerability in the Linux kernel that allows unauthorized access to I/O port permissions due to improper handling of I/O bitmaps.
An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to gain access to sensitive data or system resources, leading to potential data breaches or system compromise.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
The CVSS score for CVE-2020-15852 is 7.8, indicating a high severity level.
Yes, Vulert provides a service that monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in your software using just a manifest file like package-lock.json.
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