MEDIUM
CVE-2020-8992
CWE-400Published: February 14, 2020· Updated: Jun 17, 2026
5.5
CVSS v3.1
Official Description
ext4_protect_reserved_inode in fs/ext4/block_validity.c in the Linux kernel through 5.5.3 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (soft lockup) via a crafted journal size.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2020-8992 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 availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 5.5.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Exploitability
Attack VectorLocal
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.Low
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityNone
IntegrityNone
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/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
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.
Official Patches & Advisories
ADVISORYhttps://usn.ubuntu.com/4318-1/
ADVISORYhttps://usn.ubuntu.com/4324-1/
ADVISORYhttps://usn.ubuntu.com/4342-1/
ADVISORYhttps://usn.ubuntu.com/4344-1/
ADVISORYhttps://usn.ubuntu.com/4419-1/
ADVISORYhttps://usn.ubuntu.com/4318-1/
ADVISORYhttps://usn.ubuntu.com/4324-1/
ADVISORYhttps://usn.ubuntu.com/4342-1/
ADVISORYhttps://usn.ubuntu.com/4344-1/
ADVISORYhttps://usn.ubuntu.com/4419-1/
All References (16)
→
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-03/msg00021.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://patchwork.ozlabs.org/patch/1236118/Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20200313-0003/Third Party Advisory
→
https://usn.ubuntu.com/4318-1/Third Party Advisory
→
https://usn.ubuntu.com/4324-1/Third Party Advisory
→
https://usn.ubuntu.com/4342-1/Third Party Advisory
→
https://usn.ubuntu.com/4344-1/Third Party Advisory
→
https://usn.ubuntu.com/4419-1/Third Party Advisory
→
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-03/msg00021.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://patchwork.ozlabs.org/patch/1236118/Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20200313-0003/Third Party Advisory
→
https://usn.ubuntu.com/4318-1/Third Party Advisory
→
https://usn.ubuntu.com/4324-1/Third Party Advisory
→
https://usn.ubuntu.com/4342-1/Third Party Advisory
→
https://usn.ubuntu.com/4344-1/Third Party Advisory
Quick Facts
CVE IDCVE-2020-8992
CVSS Score5.5 / 10
SeverityMEDIUM
WeaknessCWE-400
CISA KEVNo
Affected4 vendor(s)
PublishedFeb 14, 2020
Related CVEs (CWE-400)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2020-8992 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.