Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2020-37239 affects libbabl 0.1.62, a GEGL-related graphics library. A flaw in double-free detection can let memory-safety checks be bypassed, creating risk of memory corruption and possible code execution. The record is rated critical, but the provided sources do not show confirmed active exploitation or a named fixed version.
Executive priority
Treat as high-priority for environments using libbabl 0.1.62 in exposed or automated graphics-processing workflows. Do not assume enterprise-wide exposure without inventory. The main immediate task is finding affected deployments and following vendor or distribution remediation guidance when available.
Technical view
The issue is CWE-415 double free in libbabl 0.1.62. The description says freed memory metadata can overwrite babl’s signature field, allowing a second babl_free() on the same pointer without detection. Impact is listed as confidentiality, integrity, and availability compromise with CVSS 3.1 score 9.8.
Likely exposure
Organizations are most likely exposed through applications or services that bundle or dynamically link libbabl 0.1.62. Exposure depends on whether attacker-controlled input can reach vulnerable library code. The source bundle does not identify specific downstream applications, operating system packages, or internet-facing products.
Exploitation context
A public Exploit-DB reference exists, so proof-of-concept material appears publicly available. However, the CVE is not listed as KEV in the provided data, and no cited source confirms active exploitation. Practical exploitability depends on reachable code paths in software using libbabl 0.1.62.
Researcher notes
The bundle gives a strong CVSS score and double-free description, but limited vendor remediation detail. It references Exploit-DB and VulnCheck, but does not provide KEV status or confirmed exploitation. Avoid over-scoping: downstream affected products and fixed versions are not established in the provided sources.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory systems and applications for libbabl version 0.1.62.
- Check GEGL/libbabl and distribution vendor guidance for fixed packages or advisories.
- Prioritize remediation where untrusted files or network input reach graphics-processing workflows.
- Temporarily reduce exposure of affected services until vendor guidance is confirmed.
- Monitor CVE, VulnCheck, and package repositories for updates.
Validation and detection
- Confirm installed or bundled libbabl versions across servers, containers, and workstations.
- Map which applications load libbabl and process untrusted input.
- Check package manager and software bill of materials records for libbabl 0.1.62.
- Review crash telemetry for memory corruption patterns in affected graphics workflows.
- Verify any vendor-provided upgrade removes libbabl 0.1.62 exposure.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
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.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-415: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2020-37239 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Critical
- CVSS
- 9.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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.
SSVC decision data
CVSS vector scores
2 official scoresWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9VulnCheckCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N——VulnCheckVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 4.0 score
9.3CriticalVector: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
Base CVSS 3.1 score
9.8CriticalVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Vulnerability timeline
Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.
- CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
- CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
- CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.
ADP provider summaries
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- ExploitDB-49259CVE reference, VulnCheck · exploit
- Official Product HomepageCVE reference, VulnCheck · product
- Product ReferenceCVE reference, VulnCheck · product
- VulnCheck Advisory: libbabl 0.1.62 Broken Double Free Detection Memory SafetyCVE reference, VulnCheck · third-party-advisory
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Double Free
Double Free represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.