CVE-2020-27174

Name: CVE-2020-27174
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-10-16T05:15:11.83+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.5/10EPSS 1.72%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-27174 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.5/10 on the CVSS scale. In Amazon AWS Firecracker before 0.21.3, and 0.22.x before 0.22.1, the serial console buffer can grow its memory usage without limit when data is sent to the standard input. This can result in a memory leak on the microVM emulation thread, possibly occupying more memory than intended on the host.. EPSS estimates a 1.72% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

In Amazon AWS Firecracker before 0.21.3, and 0.22.x before 0.22.1, the serial console buffer can grow its memory usage without limit when data is sent to the standard input. This can result in a memory leak on the microVM emulation thread, possibly occupying more memory than intended on the host.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.5/10

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

EPSS Probability

1.72%

74.6th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-401

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Amazon	Firecracker	< 0.21.3
Amazon	Firecracker	>= 0.22.0, < 0.22.1

References

http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2020/10/23/1Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/firecracker-microvm/firecracker/issues/2177Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/firecracker-microvm/firecracker/pull/2178Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/firecracker-microvm/firecracker/pull/2179Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2020/10/23/1Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/firecracker-microvm/firecracker/issues/2177Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/firecracker-microvm/firecracker/pull/2178Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/firecracker-microvm/firecracker/pull/2179Patch, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Oct 16, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-27174?

How severe is CVE-2020-27174?

CVE-2020-27174 has a CVSS score of 7.5/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 1.72% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-27174?

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-2020-27174?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST