The vgacon subsystem in the Linux kernel before 5.8.10 mishandles software scrollback
Unknown · Unknown
5.9MediumCVSS 3.1
Recommended action
Patch only the product branches with a verified fix
Medium technical severity with public exploit material referenced by a structured source; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance. Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 94 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.
Published severityMedium→Operational priority:Medium, unchanged from published severity.unchanged
Evidence used
No CISA KEV confirmation is currently recorded.
A structured source references public exploit or proof-of-concept material.
Exploitation requires an existing local or physical foothold with privileges.
EPSS is 0.52% for the current model date.
Compensating controls
Validate the affected product branch and deploy the verified fixed release.
Restrict local access and enforce least privilege on affected hosts.
Increase monitoring for the attack path and post-exploitation behaviour described in the report.
Verification
Confirm that the asset runs Unknown Unknown and falls inside the recorded affected range.
Verify the installed build against the product-specific fixed version after deployment.
Validate exposure, authentication requirements and compensating controls in the actual environment.
Reopen this reassessment when CVSS, KEV, EPSS, exploit evidence or remediation changes.
Cross-source reconciliation
Remediation availability differs by product scope
Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 94 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.
Red Hat Product Security: 93 affected or under-investigation product states without a fixed product state in the same current advisory
Canonical Ubuntu Security: 1 affected package state with no published fix
Distribution package intelligence
Release-specific package status
Debian, ubuntu findings are scoped to the named distribution, release and source package. An absent finding does not mean a package is unaffected.
5 package states
Package result overrides the generic status
BlackTree has verified remediation for at least one product or source, but the relevant distribution still reports no fixed package for 1 affected package state shown here. Treat those rows as affected with no fix until that distribution publishes a fixed version.
Repository candidate not checked
A published vendor fix does not prove that a matching update is enabled and installable on a particular asset. Confirm the local package candidate before scheduling remediation.
Distribution release
Source package
Vendor state
Fixed version
Evidence
Debian trixietrixie · source
linux
Vendor fix publishedDebian records a fixed source-package version for this release.
Affected, no fix publishedCanonical OVAL identifies this running kernel flavour as affected and does not publish a fixed package version in this definition.
Structured product status and remediation from the issuing vendor. Product-state explanations are always visible; large lists can be searched or downloaded.
The vendor explicitly identifies these products as affected by this CVE.
kernel-source-azure as component of HPE Helion OpenStack 8
kernel-default as component of SUSE CaaS Platform 4.0
kernel-default-base as component of SUSE CaaS Platform 4.0
kernel-default-devel as component of SUSE CaaS Platform 4.0
kernel-devel as component of SUSE CaaS Platform 4.0
kernel-macros as component of SUSE CaaS Platform 4.0
kernel-source as component of SUSE CaaS Platform 4.0
reiserfs-kmp-default as component of SUSE CaaS Platform 4.0
kernel-default as component of SUSE Enterprise Storage 6
kernel-source as component of SUSE Enterprise Storage 6
kernel-default as component of SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 12 SP2
kernel-default-base as component of SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 12 SP2
Summary
The vgacon subsystem in the Linux kernel before 5.8.10 mishandles software scrollback. There is a vgacon_scrolldelta out-of-bounds read, aka CID-973c096f6a85.
Remediation
To install this SUSE Security Update use the SUSE recommended installation methods like YaST online_update or "zypper patch".
CVE-2020-28097 · CSAF 2.0 · revision 3 · finalRed Hat Product Securitykernel: out-of-bounds read/write in vgacon_scrolldelta function
93 known affected
The vendor explicitly identifies these products as affected by this CVE.
kernel.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5
kernel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
kernel-abi-whitelists as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
kernel-bootwrapper as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
kernel-debug as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
kernel-debug-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
kernel-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
kernel-doc as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
kernel-firmware as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
kernel-headers as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
kernel-kdump as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
kernel-kdump-devel as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
Summary
A flaw was found in the Linux kernel’s implementation of the invert video code on VGA consoles. When a local attacker attempts to scroll the console, calling an ioctl TIOCL_SCROLLCONSOLE, an out-of-bounds memory access issue occurs. This flaw allows a local user with access to the VGA console to crash the system, potentially reading random out-of-bound memory on the system. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to system availability and data confidentiality.
Remediation
Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options don't meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.
Optional official sources
National CERT insights ?CERT means Computer Emergency Response Team; CSIRT is the closely related term Computer Security Incident Response Team.
Choose official national sources for this report. Each advisory shows its original language. Your selection is remembered on this device and included in shared links.
Official European source
ENISA European Vulnerability Database
Official EUVD identifiers, advisory evidence and known-exploited context. Missing fields are not treated as evidence of low risk.
1 current
ENISA EUVD identifier
EUVD-2020-20584
No EUVD known-exploited evidence
The vgacon subsystem in the Linux kernel before 5.8.10 mishandles software scrollback. There is a vgacon_scrolldelta out-of-bounds read, aka CID-973c096f6a85.
EUVD state
Present in the current official mapping
Known exploitation
Not present in the current ENISA EUVD known-exploited dataset. This is not proof of no exploitation.
ENISA score
0.0
Advisory evidence
No linked advisory details stored yet
Recommended actionPatch only the product branches with a verified fix
Medium technical severity with public exploit material referenced by a structured source; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance. Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 94 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.
Fix availability varies by product
01
What, why and how
The vgacon subsystem in the Linux kernel before 5.8.10 mishandles software scrollback. There is a vgacon_scrolldelta out-of-bounds read, aka CID-973c096f6a85.
What
The vgacon subsystem in the Linux kernel before 5.8.10 mishandles software scrollback. There is a vgacon_scrolldelta out-of-bounds read, aka CID-973c096f6a85.
Why
The product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.
How
An attacker operating through physical access may attempt exploitation with low privileges. If successful, the issue may cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor.
What
The vgacon subsystem in the Linux kernel before 5.8.10 mishandles software scrollback. There is a vgacon_scrolldelta out-of-bounds read, aka CID-973c096f6a85.
Why
The product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.
How
An attacker operating through physical access may attempt exploitation with low privileges. If successful, the issue may cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor.
02
Exploit reality and attack path
CVSS severity, EPSS forecast probability, public exploit material and CISA-confirmed exploitation are separate signals.
Observed exploitation ?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.No confirmed evidence
No CISA KEV match was present at the last successful refresh. This means no confirmation from that source, not proof of no exploitation.
Public PoC / exploit material ?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.Reference recorded
A structured CVE source labels at least one public reference as exploit material. BlackTree has not independently validated that it is safe, reliable or weaponised.
Likely attack path
physical access → Out-of-bounds Read → cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor
Attack surface
Physical
Privileges required
Low: a basic authenticated account is required
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
Low: no specialised conditions are recorded
Security boundary
Unchanged: impact remains within the vulnerable component's security authority
Weakness ?CWE means Common Weakness Enumeration: a standard category for the underlying weakness.
CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read. The product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.
CVSS vector ?CVSS means Common Vulnerability Scoring System. The vector records the metric values used to calculate technical severity.
CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H
Common Vulnerability Scoring System 3.1: the compact vector below is decoded into plain language.
AVPhysicalAttack vector: The attacker needs physical access to the vulnerable system.ACLowAttack complexity: No specialised conditions are required beyond attacker-controlled input.PRLowPrivileges required: The attacker needs basic user-level privileges.UINoneUser interaction: No action by another user is required.SUnchangedScope: The security impact remains within the vulnerable component's authority.CHighConfidentiality impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.INoneIntegrity impact: No direct loss is represented by this metric.AHighAvailability impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.
Post-exploitation / living off the land
No specific living-off-the-land technique is confirmed in the structured sources. Monitor normal administration tools for activity inconsistent with the affected service's baseline.
CWE-125Public exploit reference
A
Official authority intelligence
Only matched European and national findings are included. Language selectors and unavailable sources are omitted.
ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2020-20584Official EUVD mapping
The vgacon subsystem in the Linux kernel before 5.8.10 mishandles software scrollback. There is a vgacon_scrolldelta out-of-bounds read, aka CID-973c096f6a85.
Official EUVD record ↗Cyber Security Agency of Singapore · English · CSA-SB-20210630Security Bulletin 30 Jun 2021
The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore included this CVE in its official Security Bulletin 30 Jun 2021, published on 30 June 2021. Open the linked bulletin for the product, severity and reference information published in that issue.
Official advisory ↗CERT-FR · French · CERTFR-2022-AVI-178Multiples vulnérabilités dans le noyau Linux de SUSE
De multiples vulnérabilités ont été découvertes dans le noyau Linux de
SUSE. Certaines d'entre elles permettent à un attaquant de provoquer un
problème de sécurité non spécifié par l'éditeur, un déni de service et
une atteinte à la confidentialité des données.
Official advisory ↗CERT-FR · French · CERTFR-2022-AVI-170Multiples vulnérabilités dans le noyau Linux de SUSE
De multiples vulnérabilités ont été découvertes dans le noyau Linux de
SUSE. Certaines d'entre elles permettent à un attaquant de provoquer un
problème de sécurité non spécifié par l'éditeur, un déni de service à
distance et une atteinte à la confidentialité des données.
Official advisory ↗CERT-FR · French · CERTFR-2022-AVI-144Multiples vulnérabilités dans le noyau Linux de SUSE
Documentation
Bulletin de sécurité SUSE 20220370-1 du 11 février 2022
https://www.suse.com/support/update/announcement/2022/suse-su-20220370-1/
Bulletin de sécurité SUSE 20220371-1 du 11 février 2022
https://www.suse.com/support/update/announcement/2022/suse-su-20220371-1/
Bulletin de sécurité SUSE 20220372-1 du 11 février 2022
https://www.suse.com/support/update/announcement/2022/suse-su-20220372-1/
Référence CVE CVE-2018-25020
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2018-25020
Référence CVE CVE-2019-15126
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2019-15126
Référence CVE CVE-2020-27820
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-27820
Référence CVE CVE-2020-28097
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-28097
Référence CVE CVE-2021-0920
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-0920
Référence CVE CVE-2021-0935
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-0935
Référence CVE CVE-2021-22600
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-22600
Référence CVE CVE-2021-28711
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-28711
Référence CVE CVE-2021-28712
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-28712
Référence CVE CVE-2021-28713
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-28713
Référence CVE CVE-2021-28714
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-28714
Référence CVE CVE-2021-28715
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-
Official advisory ↗CERT-FR · French · CERTFR-2022-AVI-141Multiples vulnérabilités dans le noyau Linux de SUSE
Operational remediation based on structured source evidence.
Status ?Patch availability is based on structured fixed-version fields and authoritative update references. If no fix is verified, check the vendor advisory before making a change.
Use the product-specific evidence above. Patch only products with a verified fixed release, and keep every affected or under-investigation state without a matching fix in the remediation queue.
Workaround
No verified workaround is recorded. Limit untrusted access and use least privilege until authoritative guidance is available.
04
Evidence and provenance
Published 24 Jun 2021 · Last source change 8 Oct 2026, 21:03 UTC · CWE-125 · Out-of-bounds Read
CVE recordCVE.org · 5.2
CVSS sourceNIST NVD
EPSS source ?The date BlackTree first stored a score for this CVE from the daily FIRST EPSS feed.FIRST · tracked since 2026-08-14
European sourceENISA EUVD · EUVD-2020-20584
Product sourceVendor CSAF · SUSE Product Security Team
Remediation sourceVendor CSAF · SUSE Product Security Team
CWE sourceNIST NVD
NVD statusNVD modified after enrichment
Missing structured fields: affected product. Missing data is not evidence of low risk; review the primary advisory.
Technical terms and abbreviations used in this report
CVE
Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures: the public identifier for one disclosed vulnerability.
CVSS
Common Vulnerability Scoring System: a technical severity framework; it is not patching priority by itself.
EPSS
Exploit Prediction Scoring System: FIRST's estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days; it is a forecast, not confirmation.
CWE
Common Weakness Enumeration: the standard category describing the underlying software or hardware weakness.
CNA
CVE Numbering Authority: an organisation authorised to assign and publish CVE records.
CISA ADP
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Authorized Data Publisher: structured enrichment added to a CVE record.
NVD
National Vulnerability Database: NIST's enrichment service for CVE records.
CERT / CSIRT
A computer security incident response team that publishes warnings or coordinates incident response.
PoC
Proof of concept: public material that demonstrates or helps reproduce exploitation.
CSAF
Common Security Advisory Framework: a machine-readable format for security advisories.
LoTL
Living off the land: abuse of legitimate tools or system functions during an attack.