CVE-2019-20839

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Last Modified: UTC

Description

The CVE Program describes this issue as:

libvncclient/sockets.c in LibVNCServer before 0.9.13 has a buffer overflow via a long socket filename.

Statement

This is only an issue if the "ConnectClientToUnixSock()" function is used directly with an overly long socket name. It's more common that the "ConnectToRFBServer()" function is used, which would prevent exploiting this flaw as it performs additional checks. Additionally, the buffer overflow is caught by compiled-in buffer overflow checks, limiting the impact to a crash.

This is only an issue if the "ConnectClientToUnixSock()" function is used directly with an overly long socket name. It's more common that the "ConnectToRFBServer()" function is used, which would prevent exploiting this flaw as it performs additional checks. Additionally, the buffer overflow is caught by compiled-in buffer overflow checks, limiting the impact to a crash.

Additional information

  • Bugzilla 1849877: libvncserver: buffer overflow in ConnectClientToUnixSock()
  • CWE-120: Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')
  • FAQ: Frequently asked questions about CVE-2019-20839

Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details

Important note

CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).

CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
Red HatNVD

CVSS v3 Base Score

7.5

7.5

Attack Vector

Network

Network

Attack Complexity

Low

Low

Privileges Required

None

None

User Interaction

None

None

Scope

Unchanged

Unchanged

Confidentiality Impact

None

None

Integrity Impact

None

None

Availability Impact

High

High

CVSS v3 Vector

Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

NVD: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Understanding the Weakness (CWE)

CWE-120

Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability

Technical Impact: Modify Memory; Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands

Buffer overflows often can be used to execute arbitrary code, which is usually outside the scope of the product's implicit security policy. This can often be used to subvert any other security service.

Availability

Technical Impact: Modify Memory; DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart; DoS: Resource Consumption (CPU)

Buffer overflows generally lead to crashes. Other attacks leading to lack of availability are possible, including putting the product into an infinite loop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Red Hat's CVSS v3 score or Impact different from other vendors?

My product is listed as "Under investigation" or "Affected", when will Red Hat release a fix for this vulnerability?

What can I do if my product is listed as "Will not fix"?

What can I do if my product is listed as "Fix deferred"?

What is a mitigation?

I have a Red Hat product but it is not in the above list, is it affected?

Why is my security scanner reporting my product as vulnerable to this vulnerability even though my product version is fixed or not affected?

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