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CVE-2020-14409: SDL (Simple DirectMedia Layer) through 2.0.12 has an Integer Overflow (and resultant SDL_memcpy heap corruptio

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HIGH 7.8WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2020-14409 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting simple directmedia layer, fedora, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

SDL (Simple DirectMedia Layer) through 2.0.12 has an Integer Overflow (and resultant SDL_memcpy heap corruption) in SDL_BlitCopy in video/SDL_blit_copy.c via a crafted .BMP file.

Why this priority

  • High severity
  • On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score7.8 (High)
Attack vectorLocal
Attack complexityLow
Privileges neededNone
User interactionRequired
EPSS exploit chance1.3% (top 29%)
CISA exploited listNo
WeaknessCWE-190, CWE-787
Published2021-01-19
Last modified2026-06-17
Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · fedoraproject · libsdl · starwindsoftware

Share: LinkedIn · X · Reddit

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

libsdl simple directmedia layer UPGRADE
Affected: >= 2.0.12 and <= 2.0.20
Fixed in: newer than 2.0.20
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0.12
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy simple-directmedia-layer || rpm -q simple-directmedia-layer || simple-directmedia-layer --version
2. UPGRADE to newer than 2.0.20 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade simple-directmedia-layer
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade simple-directmedia-layer
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.0.12 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison simple-directmedia-layer sudo apt install simple-directmedia-layer=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0.12> sudo apt-mark hold simple-directmedia-layer
3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list simple-directmedia-layer sudo dnf downgrade simple-directmedia-layer-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0.12> sudo dnf versionlock add simple-directmedia-layer
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.
fedoraproject fedora MITIGATE
Affected: 33
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 33
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.
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-2020-14409?

simple directmedia layer: upgrade to newer than 2.0.20; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-14409 being exploited?

CVE-2020-14409 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-2020-14409 affect?

CVE-2020-14409 affects simple directmedia layer, fedora, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). SDL (Simple DirectMedia Layer) through 2.0.12 has an Integer Overflow (and resultant SDL_memcpy heap corruption) in SDL_BlitCopy in video/SDL_blit_copy.c via a crafted .BMP file.

How urgent is CVE-2020-14409?

Priority 50/100. High severity; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

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References

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