CVE-2020-16122: canonical ubuntu_linux Improper Privilege Management
CVSS: 8.2v3.1HighModified
AliasesUBUNTU-CVE-2020-16122DEBIAN-CVE-2020-16122
Published 07-11-2020Last modified 16-09-2024
Vulnerability summary
CVE-2020-16122 is a high (CVSS 8.2) Improper Privilege Management vulnerability in canonical ubuntu_linux. EPSS estimates a 0.34% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 25.8% of scored vulnerabilities.
CVSS score
8.2/10
010
High · v3.1 (CVE.org)EPSS score
0.34%
0%100%
Low · 0.00 pp in 30 daysKEVNot listedIn no KEV catalog
RansomwareNone recordedNo known use recorded
Public exploits0No public exploits recorded
Advisory lineage
Upstream 0 · Downstream 2 · Related 1Timeline
- 07-11-2020PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
- 16-09-2024Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.
Description
PackageKit's apt backend mistakenly treated all local debs as trusted. The apt security model is based on repository trust and not on the contents of individual files. On sites with configured PolicyKit rules this may allow users to install malicious packages.
CVSS metrics
5 scores · 4 sources · 2 versionsHigh 8.2Preferred score · CVE.org (CNA)
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:HSources4 sources · 7.8–8.2
- OSV · UbuntuEcosystem advisory · calculated8.2HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
- OSV · DebianEcosystem advisory · calculated7.8HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HDiffers
- NVDNIST7.8HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HDiffers
Low 2.1Preferred score · NVD (NIST)
AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:NSourcesSingle source
EPSS trend
Probability
0.34%
Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days
Percentile
26%
Versus all other CVEs
30-day change
0.00 pp
From 0.34% on 18-09-2026
18-09-202618-10-2026
EPSS score0.34%
Known exploited
Compare KEV catalogsNot in any of the 3 tracked catalogs.
Public exploits
0 foundNo public exploits indexed.
Weaknesses
CWE · root cause- CWE-269Improper Privilege ManagementThe product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor.
- CWE-345Insufficient Verification of Data AuthenticityThe product does not sufficiently verify the origin or authenticity of data, in a way that causes it to accept invalid data.
Affected systems
Canonical1 product
- ubuntu_linuxEOL16.04 | 18.04 | 20.04
Debian1 product
- packagekit< 1.2.1-1
Packagekit1 product
- packagekit≥ 1.1.13-2ubuntu, < 1.1.13-2ubuntu1.1 | ≥ 1.1.9-1ubuntu, < 1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.6 | ≥ 0.8.17-4ubuntu, < 0.8.17-4ubuntu6~gcc5.4ubuntu1.5
Packagekit_project1 product
Ubuntu1 product
- packagekit< 0.8.17-4ubuntu6~gcc5.4ubuntu1.5 | < 1.1.9-1ubuntu2.18.04.6 | < 1.1.13-2ubuntu1.1
5 vendors · 5 products
References
5 links- bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/packagekit/+bug/1882098X Refsource MISCIssue TrackingThird Party Advisory
