CVE-2019-20172

Name: CVE-2019-20172
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2019-12-31T03:15:10.467+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 0.47%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2019-20172 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. Kernel/VM/MemoryManager.cpp in SerenityOS before 2019-12-30 does not reject syscalls with pointers into the kernel-only virtual address space, which allows local users to gain privileges by overwriting a return address that was found on the kernel stack.. EPSS estimates a 0.47% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Kernel/VM/MemoryManager.cpp in SerenityOS before 2019-12-30 does not reject syscalls with pointers into the kernel-only virtual address space, which allows local users to gain privileges by overwriting a return address that was found on the kernel stack.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

0.47%

37.4th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-119

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Serenityos	Serenityos	< 2019-12-30

References

https://github.com/Fire30/CTF-WRITEUPS/tree/master/36c3_ctf/wisdomExploit, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/SerenityOS/serenity/commit/0fc24fe2564736689859e7edfa177a86dac36bf9Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/Fire30/CTF-WRITEUPS/tree/master/36c3_ctf/wisdomExploit, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/SerenityOS/serenity/commit/0fc24fe2564736689859e7edfa177a86dac36bf9Patch, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Dec 31, 2019
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2019-20172?

How severe is CVE-2019-20172?

CVE-2019-20172 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.47% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2019-20172?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2019-20172?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST