CVE-2020-14314: A memory out-of-bounds read flaw was found in the Linux kernel before 5.9-rc2 with the ext3/ext4 file system,

Routine

MEDIUM 5.5WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2020-14314 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting linux kernel, debian linux, ubuntu linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A memory out-of-bounds read flaw was found in the Linux kernel before 5.9-rc2 with the ext3/ext4 file system, in the way it accesses a directory with broken indexing. This flaw allows a local user to crash the system if the directory exists. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to system availability.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 69%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-125
Published	2020-09-15
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: canonical · debian · linux · starwindsoftware

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-09-15 20:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:54 UTCUpdated Record last modified

linux linux kernel UPGRADE

Affected: <= 5.8.9 · 5.9.0 rc1

Fixed in: newer than 5.8.9

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 9.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE

Affected: 14.04 · 16.04 · 18.04 · 20.04

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 14.04

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

starwindsoftware starwind virtual san DOWNGRADE

Affected: v8 build12533 · v8 build12658 · v8 build12859 · v8 build13170 · v8 build13586 · v8 build13861

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before v8

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy starwind-virtual-san || rpm -q starwind-virtual-san || starwind-virtual-san --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before v8 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison starwind-virtual-san sudo apt install starwind-virtual-san=<VERSION_BEFORE_v8> sudo apt-mark hold starwind-virtual-san

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list starwind-virtual-san sudo dnf downgrade starwind-virtual-san-<VERSION_BEFORE_v8> sudo dnf versionlock add starwind-virtual-san

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2020-14314?

linux kernel: upgrade to newer than 5.8.9; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-14314 being exploited?

CVE-2020-14314 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2020-14314 affect?

CVE-2020-14314 affects linux kernel, debian linux, ubuntu linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). A memory out-of-bounds read flaw was found in the Linux kernel before 5.9-rc2 with the ext3/ext4 file system, in the way it accesses a directory with broken indexing. This flaw allows a local user to crash the system if the directory exists

How urgent is CVE-2020-14314?

Priority 32/100. On your watchlist

Software pages

Linux kernel vulnerabilities · Ubuntu vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-63912 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: xfrm: esp: restore combined single-frag l
CVE-2026-63913 HIGH 8.2 UPGRADE In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: conntrack: tcp: do not force C
CVE-2026-63914 HIGH 7.3 UPGRADE In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: xfrm: route MIGRATE notifications to call
CVE-2026-63915 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: nfc: hci: fix out-of-bounds read in HCP h
CVE-2026-63916 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: HID: wacom: Fix OOB write in wacom_hid_se

References

← Back to latest CVEs