Buffer overflow in Grub
Priority LOW 39CWE-120Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- High
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 40 fixed, 2 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA, Red Hat and Microsoft. Impact type from CWE-120 and the CVSS impact.
Summary
A flaw was found in grub2, prior to version 2.06. An attacker may use the GRUB 2 flaw to hijack and tamper the GRUB verification process. This flaw also allows the bypass of Secure Boot protections. In order to load an untrusted or modified kernel, an attacker would first need to establish access to the system such as gaining physical access, obtain the ability to alter a pxe-boot network, or have remote access to a networked system with root access. With this access, an attacker could then craft a string to cause a buffer overflow by injecting a malicious payload that leads to arbitrary code execution within GRUB. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to data confidentiality and integrity as well as system availability.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.01711 77th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Partial Red Hat: 11 advisoriesMicrosoft: 1 updateRed Hat: 40 fixed, 2 without a fix
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Grub | All grub2 versions before 2.06 | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- Grub Vendor— Affected All grub2 versions before 2.06 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 5
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:gnu:grub2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 2.06 | Vulnerable | GNU |
| cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:10.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 10.0 | Vulnerable | Debian |
| cpe:2.3:o:opensuse:leap:15.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 15.1 | Vulnerable | openSUSE |
| cpe:2.3:o:opensuse:leap:15.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 15.2 | Vulnerable | openSUSE |
| cpe:2.3:o:vmware:photon_os:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 2.0 | Vulnerable | VMware |
- cpe:2.3:a:gnu:grub2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 2.06 Vulnerable ·GNU
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:10.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 10.0 Vulnerable ·Debian
- cpe:2.3:o:opensuse:leap:15.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 15.1 Vulnerable ·openSUSE
- cpe:2.3:o:opensuse:leap:15.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 15.2 Vulnerable ·openSUSE
- cpe:2.3:o:vmware:photon_os:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 2.0 Vulnerable ·VMware
Remediation
Red Hat 11 advisories
- RHSA-2020:4172 Released 2020-10-05 · Red Hat rating ImportantRed Hat Virtualization security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat Virtualization 4 Hypervisor for RHEL 8 redhat-virtualization-host-4.4.2-20200930.0.el8_2, redhat-virtualization-host-image-update-4.4.2-20200930.0.el8_2
- RHSA-2020:4115 Released 2020-09-30 · Red Hat rating Importantredhat-release-virtualization-host and redhat-virtualization-host security update
- RHEL 7-based RHEV-H for RHEV 4 (build requirements) redhat-virtualization-host-4.3.11-20200922.0.el7_9, redhat-virtualization-host-image-update-4.3.11-20200922.0.el7_9
- Red Hat Virtualization 4 Hypervisor for RHEL 7 redhat-virtualization-host-4.3.11-20200922.0.el7_9, redhat-virtualization-host-image-update-4.3.11-20200922.0.el7_9
- RHSA-2020:3274 Released 2020-08-03 · Red Hat rating Moderategrub2 security and bug fix update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode EUS (v. 7.7) fwupdate-12-6.el7_7, fwupdate-efi-12-6.el7_7, fwupdate-libs-12-6.el7_7 +18
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional EUS (v. 7.7) fwupdate-devel-12-6.el7_7, grub2-efi-aa64-modules-1:2.02-0.86.el7_7, grub2-efi-ia32-cdboot-1:2.02-0.86.el7_7 +4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server EUS (v. 7.7) fwupdate-12-6.el7_7, fwupdate-efi-12-6.el7_7, fwupdate-libs-12-6.el7_7 +22
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional EUS (v. 7.7) fwupdate-devel-12-6.el7_7, grub2-efi-aa64-modules-1:2.02-0.86.el7_7, grub2-efi-ia32-cdboot-1:2.02-0.86.el7_7 +7
Show 8 more Red Hat advisories
- RHSA-2020:3276 Released 2020-08-03 · Red Hat rating Moderategrub2 security and bug fix update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server AUS (v. 7.3) grub2-1:2.02-0.86.el7, grub2-common-1:2.02-0.86.el7, grub2-efi-ia32-1:2.02-0.86.el7 +17
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server E4S (v. 7.3) grub2-1:2.02-0.86.el7, grub2-common-1:2.02-0.86.el7, grub2-efi-aa64-modules-1:2.02-0.86.el7 +21
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional AUS (v. 7.3) grub2-1:2.02-0.86.el7, grub2-common-1:2.02-0.86.el7, grub2-efi-aa64-modules-1:2.02-0.86.el7 +17
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional E4S (v. 7.3) grub2-1:2.02-0.86.el7, grub2-common-1:2.02-0.86.el7, grub2-efi-aa64-modules-1:2.02-0.86.el7 +18
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional TUS (v. 7.3) grub2-1:2.02-0.86.el7, grub2-common-1:2.02-0.86.el7, grub2-efi-aa64-modules-1:2.02-0.86.el7 +17
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server TUS (v. 7.3) grub2-1:2.02-0.86.el7, grub2-common-1:2.02-0.86.el7, grub2-efi-aa64-modules-1:2.02-0.86.el7 +20
- RHSA-2020:3271 Released 2020-08-03 · Red Hat rating Moderategrub2 security and bug fix update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode EUS (v. 7.6) fwupdate-12-6.el7_6, fwupdate-efi-12-6.el7_6, fwupdate-libs-12-6.el7_6 +18
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional EUS (v. 7.6) fwupdate-devel-12-6.el7_6, grub2-efi-aa64-modules-1:2.02-0.86.el7_6, grub2-efi-ia32-cdboot-1:2.02-0.86.el7_6 +4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server EUS (v. 7.6) fwupdate-12-6.el7_6, fwupdate-efi-12-6.el7_6, fwupdate-libs-12-6.el7_6 +22
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional EUS (v. 7.6) fwupdate-devel-12-6.el7_6, grub2-efi-aa64-modules-1:2.02-0.86.el7_6, grub2-efi-ia32-cdboot-1:2.02-0.86.el7_6 +7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server (v. 7) grub2-1:2.02-0.86.el7_6, grub2-common-1:2.02-0.86.el7_6, grub2-ppc64le-1:2.02-0.86.el7_6 +4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server Optional (v. 7) grub2-efi-aa64-modules-1:2.02-0.86.el7_6, grub2-efi-ia32-modules-1:2.02-0.86.el7_6, grub2-efi-x64-modules-1:2.02-0.86.el7_6 +3
- RHSA-2020:3275 Released 2020-08-03 · Red Hat rating Moderategrub2 security and bug fix update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server AUS (v. 7.4) fwupdate-9-10.el7_4, fwupdate-efi-9-10.el7_4, fwupdate-libs-9-10.el7_4 +18
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server E4S (v. 7.4) fwupdate-9-10.el7_4, fwupdate-efi-9-10.el7_4, fwupdate-libs-9-10.el7_4 +20
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional AUS (v. 7.4) fwupdate-9-10.el7_4, fwupdate-devel-9-10.el7_4, grub2-efi-aa64-modules-1:2.02-0.86.el7_4 +5
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional E4S (v. 7.4) fwupdate-9-10.el7_4, fwupdate-devel-9-10.el7_4, grub2-efi-aa64-modules-1:2.02-0.86.el7_4 +8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional TUS (v. 7.4) fwupdate-9-10.el7_4, fwupdate-devel-9-10.el7_4, grub2-efi-aa64-modules-1:2.02-0.86.el7_4 +5
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server TUS (v. 7.4) fwupdate-9-10.el7_4, fwupdate-efi-9-10.el7_4, fwupdate-libs-9-10.el7_4 +18
- RHSA-2020:3273 Released 2020-08-03 · Red Hat rating Moderategrub2 security and bug fix update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server AUS (v. 7.2) grub2-1:2.02-0.86.el7_2, grub2-common-1:2.02-0.86.el7_2, grub2-efi-ia32-1:2.02-0.86.el7_2 +14
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional AUS (v. 7.2) grub2-1:2.02-0.86.el7_2, grub2-efi-aa64-modules-1:2.02-0.86.el7_2, grub2-efi-ia32-cdboot-1:2.02-0.86.el7_2 +10
- RHSA-2020:3227 Released 2020-07-29 · Red Hat rating Moderategrub2 security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v. 8.0) fwupd-1.1.4-2.el8_0, grub2-1:2.02-87.el8_0, grub2-common-1:2.02-87.el8_0 +18
- RHSA-2020:3217 Released 2020-07-29 · Red Hat rating Moderategrub2 security and bug fix update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client (v. 7) fwupdate-12-6.el7_8, fwupdate-efi-12-6.el7_8, fwupdate-libs-12-6.el7_8 +18
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7) fwupdate-devel-12-6.el7_8, grub2-efi-aa64-modules-1:2.02-0.86.el7_8, grub2-efi-ia32-cdboot-1:2.02-0.86.el7_8 +4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode (v. 7) fwupdate-12-6.el7_8, fwupdate-efi-12-6.el7_8, fwupdate-libs-12-6.el7_8 +18
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional (v. 7) fwupdate-devel-12-6.el7_8, grub2-efi-aa64-modules-1:2.02-0.86.el7_8, grub2-efi-ia32-cdboot-1:2.02-0.86.el7_8 +4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) fwupdate-12-6.el7_8, fwupdate-efi-12-6.el7_8, fwupdate-libs-12-6.el7_8 +22
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7) fwupdate-devel-12-6.el7_8, grub2-efi-aa64-modules-1:2.02-0.86.el7_8, grub2-efi-ia32-cdboot-1:2.02-0.86.el7_8 +7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) fwupdate-12-6.el7_8, fwupdate-efi-12-6.el7_8, fwupdate-libs-12-6.el7_8 +18
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 7) fwupdate-devel-12-6.el7_8, grub2-efi-aa64-modules-1:2.02-0.86.el7_8, grub2-efi-ia32-cdboot-1:2.02-0.86.el7_8 +4
- RHSA-2020:3223 Released 2020-07-29 · Red Hat rating Moderategrub2 security update
- Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v. 8.1) shim-unsigned-x64-15-7.el8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v. 8.1) fwupd-1.1.4-2.el8_1, grub2-1:2.02-87.el8_1, grub2-common-1:2.02-87.el8_1 +21
- RHSA-2020:3216 Released 2020-07-29 · Red Hat rating Moderategrub2 security update
- Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 8) shim-unsigned-x64-15-7.el8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 8) fwupd-1.1.4-7.el8_2, grub2-1:2.02-87.el8_2, grub2-common-1:2.02-87.el8_2 +21
Microsoft 1 update
- ADV200011 Released 2020-07-29Microsoft Guidance for Addressing Security Feature Bypass in GRUB
Fixed in the same release
Records fixed by the same vendor advisory or release, as the CNA lists them.
- Advisory ·
Grub — openSUSE-SU-2020:1168
3 records Highest priority Priority LOW 3 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2020-11180 Integer overflow in GrubPriority LOW 30
- TI-2020-11179 Integer overflow in GrubPriority LOW 29
- Advisory ·
Grub — openSUSE-SU-2020:1169
3 records Highest priority Priority LOW 3 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2020-11180 Integer overflow in GrubPriority LOW 30
- TI-2020-11179 Integer overflow in GrubPriority LOW 29
Show 1 more group
- Advisory ·
Grub — USN-4432-1
3 records Highest priority Priority LOW 3 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2020-11180 Integer overflow in GrubPriority LOW 30
- TI-2020-11179 Integer overflow in GrubPriority LOW 29
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | Affected | No fix yet |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | Affected | No fix yet |
| RHEL 7-based RHEV-H for RHEV 4 (build requirements) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:4115 |
| Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3216 |
| Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder EUS (v. 8.1) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3223 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3216 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v. 8.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3227 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS EUS (v. 8.1) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3223 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3217 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3217 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3217 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode EUS (v. 7.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3271 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode EUS (v. 7.7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3274 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3217 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional EUS (v. 7.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3271 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional EUS (v. 7.7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3274 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3217 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server AUS (v. 7.2) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3273 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server AUS (v. 7.3) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3276 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server AUS (v. 7.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3275 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server E4S (v. 7.3) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3276 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server E4S (v. 7.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3275 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server EUS (v. 7.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3271 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server EUS (v. 7.7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3274 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3217 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional AUS (v. 7.2) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3273 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional AUS (v. 7.3) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3276 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional AUS (v. 7.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3275 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional E4S (v. 7.3) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3276 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional E4S (v. 7.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3275 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional EUS (v. 7.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3271 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional EUS (v. 7.7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3274 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional TUS (v. 7.3) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3276 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional TUS (v. 7.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3275 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server TUS (v. 7.3) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3276 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server TUS (v. 7.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3275 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3217 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3217 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3271 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:3271 |
| Red Hat Virtualization 4 Hypervisor for RHEL 7 | Fixed | RHSA-2020:4115 |
| Red Hat Virtualization 4 Hypervisor for RHEL 8 | Fixed | RHSA-2020:4172 |
Not affected: 6 products
- RHEL 7-based RHEV-H for RHEV 4 (build requirements)
- RHEL 8-based RHEV-H for RHEV 4 (build requirements)
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- Red Hat Enterprise MRG 2
- Red Hat Virtualization 4 Management Agent for RHEL 7 Hosts
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2020-10713
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-m2fm-gm84-v5jq
References
Advisory 12
- DSA-4735
- [oss-security] 20200729 multiple secure boot grub2 and linux kernel vulnerabilities
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1825243
- VU#174059
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20200731-0008/
- USN-4432-1
- 20200804 GRUB2 Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability
- openSUSE-SU-2020:1169
- openSUSE-SU-2020:1168
- https://eclypsium.com/2020/07/29/theres-a-hole-in-the-boot/
- https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/80181
- GLSA-202104-05
Sources
- CVE-2020-10713 · CVE Program
- CVE-2020-10713 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-m2fm-gm84-v5jq · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2020-10713 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences