What is the CVSS score of CVE-2020-16122?

CVE-2020-16122 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 (High). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. EPSS exploitation probability: 0.3%.

Packagekit CVE-2020-16122

HIGH

Improper Privilege Management (CWE-269)

2020-11-07 security@ubuntu.com

Privilege Escalation Packagekit Ubuntu Linux

7.8

CVSS 3.1 · NVD

Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY

7.8 HIGH

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

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

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

Attack Vector

Local

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

Low

User Interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Lifecycle Timeline

CVE Published

Nov 07, 2020 - 04:15 nvd

HIGH 7.8

DescriptionNVD

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.

AnalysisAI

PackageKit's apt backend mistakenly treated all local debs as trusted. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.

Technical ContextAI

This vulnerability is classified as Improper Privilege Management (CWE-269), which allows attackers to escalate privileges to gain unauthorized elevated access. 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. Affected products include: Packagekit Project Packagekit, Canonical Ubuntu Linux.

RemediationAI

No vendor patch is available at time of analysis. Monitor vendor advisories for updates. Apply principle of least privilege, validate privilege transitions, implement proper role separation.