MEDIUM
CVE-2020-28097
CWE-125Published: June 24, 2021· Updated: Jun 17, 2026
5.9
CVSS v3.1
Official Description
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.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2020-28097 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.
Exploitation requires low privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.
A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 5.9.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Exploitability
Attack VectorPhysical
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.Low
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityNone
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H
Affected Vendors & Products
Exploit & PoC Resources
NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
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Official Patches & Advisories
All References (10)
→
https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v5.x/ChangeLog-5.8.10Patch · Vendor Advisory
→
→
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/973c096f6a85e5b5f2a295126ba6928d9a6afd45Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://seclists.org/oss-sec/2020/q3/176Exploit · Mailing List · Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210805-0001/Third Party Advisory
→
https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v5.x/ChangeLog-5.8.10Patch · Vendor Advisory
→
→
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/973c096f6a85e5b5f2a295126ba6928d9a6afd45Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://seclists.org/oss-sec/2020/q3/176Exploit · Mailing List · Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210805-0001/Third Party Advisory
Quick Facts
CVE IDCVE-2020-28097
CVSS Score5.9 / 10
SeverityMEDIUM
WeaknessCWE-125
CISA KEVNo
Affected2 vendor(s)
PublishedJun 24, 2021
Related CVEs (CWE-125)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2020-28097 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWatch. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.