CVE-2020-14410: SDL (Simple DirectMedia Layer) through 2.0.12 has a heap-based buffer over-read in Blit_3or4_to_3or4__inversed

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MEDIUM 5.4WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2020-14410 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.4) affecting simple directmedia layer, debian linux, fedora. 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 a heap-based buffer over-read in Blit_3or4_to_3or4__inversed_rgb in video/SDL_blit_N.c via a crafted .BMP file.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.4 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	1.7% (top 23%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-125
Published	2021-01-19
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · fedoraproject · libsdl

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2021-01-19 20:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:54 UTCUpdated Record last modified

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.

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.

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.

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-2020-14410?

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

Is CVE-2020-14410 being exploited?

CVE-2020-14410 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-2020-14410 affect?

CVE-2020-14410 affects simple directmedia layer, debian linux, fedora. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.4). SDL (Simple DirectMedia Layer) through 2.0.12 has a heap-based buffer over-read in Blit_3or4_to_3or4__inversed_rgb in video/SDL_blit_N.c via a crafted .BMP file.

How urgent is CVE-2020-14410?

Priority 43/100. On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2022-4743 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE MITIGATE A potential memory leak issue was discovered in SDL2 in GLES_CreateTexture() function in SDL_render_gles.c
CVE-2022-34568 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE SDL v1.2 was discovered to contain a use-after-free via the XFree function at /src/video/x11/SDL_x11yuv.c.
CVE-2021-33657 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE There is a heap overflow problem in video/SDL_pixels.c in SDL (Simple DirectMedia Layer) 2.x to 2.0.18 version
CVE-2020-14409 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE MITIGATE SDL (Simple DirectMedia Layer) through 2.0.12 has an Integer Overflow (and resultant SDL_memcpy heap corruptio
CVE-2019-14906 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE MITIGATE A flaw was found with the RHSA-2019:3950 erratum, where it did not fix the CVE-2019-13616 SDL vulnerability

References

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