CVE-2020-28974
Published Nov 20, 2020 · Updated Nov 3, 2026
Original summary
Normalized public record · Updated Nov 3, 2026
A slab-out-of-bounds read in fbcon in the Linux kernel before 5.9.7 could be used by local attackers to read privileged information or potentially crash the kernel, aka CID-3c4e0dff2095. This occurs because KD_FONT_OP_COPY in drivers/tty/vt/vt.c can be used for manipulations such as font height.
Publisher and source text is retained separately from QFinch interpretation.
QFinch assessment
A slab-out-of-bounds read in fbcon in the Linux kernel before 5.9.7 could be used by local attackers to read privileged information or potentially crash the kernel, aka CID-3c4e0dff2095. This occurs because KD_FONT_OP_COPY in drivers/tty/vt/vt.c can be used for manipulations such as font height.
Evidence: public source recordsAffected products
| Affected package, product or range | Fix status |
|---|---|
| Consult the referenced vendor advisory for affected versions. | Consult source advisory |
Matching a version is only one part of assessing exposure. QFinch has not assessed your environment on this public page.
Remediation
Apply the vendor-supported fixed release or mitigation, then verify the affected component is no longer reachable.
- Confirm the affected product and reachable code path exist in your environment.
- Apply the vendor-supported patch or mitigation from the primary advisory.
- Rescan the exact deployed revision and retain verification evidence.
Evidence coverage
- SSVC priority
- LOW
- Confidence
- Not available
- Aliases
- None reported
Scores appear only when corresponding evidence exists. Missing data is never interpreted as zero risk.
Sources and record history
- Patch commit ↗
- seclists.org ↗
- cdn.kernel.org ↗
- [oss-security] 20201124 Re: Linux kernel slab-out-of-bounds Read in fbcon ↗
- [debian-lts-announce] 20201210 [SECURITY] [DLA 2483-1] linux-4.19 security update ↗
- [debian-lts-announce] 20201218 [SECURITY] [DLA 2494-1] linux security update ↗
- security.netapp.com ↗
Record history
Published Nov 20, 2020 · Last refreshed Nov 3, 2026