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CVE Record

CVE-2020-19189: Buffer Overflow vulnerability in postprocess_terminfo function in tinfo/parse_entry.c:997 in ncurses 6.1 al...

Buffer Overflow vulnerability in postprocess_terminfo function in tinfo/parse_entry.c:997 in ncurses 6.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via crafted command.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2020-19189 is a reported buffer overflow in ncurses 6.1 that can crash affected software when it processes crafted terminal information. The source bundle frames the impact as denial of service, not data theft or code execution. Exposure is most relevant where ncurses is present through operating systems, appliances, or bundled dependencies.

Executive priority

Prioritize routine patching on exposed servers, endpoints, and appliances. The main business risk is service disruption, and current sources do not show active exploitation. Escalate only if vulnerable ncurses processing is reachable by untrusted users or embedded in critical services.

Technical view

The issue is reported in ncurses tinfo/parse_entry.c, postprocess_terminfo, around line 997. A crafted command or terminfo input can trigger a buffer overflow and denial of service. The bundle includes downstream advisories from Debian LTS, Apple, and NetApp, but provides no CVSS, CWE, or complete affected-version matrix.

Likely exposure

Likely exposure is indirect: Linux, macOS, or vendor products that ship vulnerable ncurses builds. The bundle specifically names ncurses 6.1 and includes Debian LTS, Apple macOS, and NetApp references, but does not define every affected product or package version.

Exploitation context

The bundle lists a public fuzzing PoC reference, but KEV is false and no cited source states active exploitation. Treat this as a crash-risk vulnerability with public technical awareness, not as confirmed in-the-wild exploitation.

Researcher notes

Evidence is incomplete: CVSS, CWE, and affected-version ranges are absent from the bundle. The strongest facts are the ncurses 6.1 function location, denial-of-service impact, public PoC reference, and multiple downstream vendor advisories. Avoid assuming code execution or broader product impact without vendor confirmation.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply vendor security updates for operating systems and appliances that ship ncurses.
  • Review Debian LTS DLA 3586-1 if managing Debian-based systems.
  • Apply relevant Apple macOS security updates referenced for Sonoma, Ventura, and Monterey.
  • Review NetApp advisory NTAP-20231006-0005 for affected products and remediation guidance.
  • If no vendor package is available, monitor vendor guidance rather than self-inventing patches.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory systems and products that include ncurses or terminfo tooling.
  • Check installed ncurses package versions against vendor advisories.
  • Confirm Debian, Apple, and NetApp fixes are applied where those platforms exist.
  • Review vulnerability scanner findings for CVE-2020-19189 and verify package evidence.
  • Document exceptions where vendor impact is unknown or not yet published.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
8

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

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CVE-2020-19189 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
7Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.