CVE-2018-12020

Name: CVE-2018-12020
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2018-06-08T21:29:00.237+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.5/10EPSS 8.65%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2018-12020 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.5/10 on the CVSS scale. mainproc.c in GnuPG before 2.2.8 mishandles the original filename during decryption and verification actions, which allows remote attackers to spoof the output that GnuPG sends on file descriptor 2 to other programs that use the "--status-fd 2" option. For example, the OpenPGP data might represent an original filename that contains line feed characters in conjunction with GOODSIG or VALIDSIG status codes.. EPSS estimates a 8.65% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

mainproc.c in GnuPG before 2.2.8 mishandles the original filename during decryption and verification actions, which allows remote attackers to spoof the output that GnuPG sends on file descriptor 2 to other programs that use the "--status-fd 2" option. For example, the OpenPGP data might represent an original filename that contains line feed characters in conjunction with GOODSIG or VALIDSIG status codes.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.5/10

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

EPSS Probability

8.65%

94.4th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-706

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Desktop	6.0
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Desktop	7.0
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Server	6.0
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Server	7.0
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Server Aus	7.6
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Server Eus	7.5
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Server Eus	7.6
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Server Tus	7.6
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Workstation	6.0
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Workstation	7.0
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	12.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	14.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	16.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	17.10
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	18.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	18.10
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	19.04
Debian	Debian Linux	8.0
Debian	Debian Linux	9.0
Gnupg	Gnupg	< 2.2.8

References

http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2018/06/08/2Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/152703/Johnny-You-Are-Fired.htmlThird Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2019/Apr/38Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/04/30/4Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/104450Broken Link
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1041051Broken Link
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2180Third Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2181Third Party Advisory
https://dev.gnupg.org/T4012Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/RUB-NDS/Johnny-You-Are-FiredTechnical Description, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/RUB-NDS/Johnny-You-Are-Fired/blob/master/paper/johnny-fired.pdfTechnical Description, Third Party Advisory
https://help.ecostruxureit.com/display/public/UADCE725/Security+fixes+in+StruxureWare+Data+Center+Expert+v7.6.0Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/12/msg00027.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.gnupg.org/pipermail/gnupg-announce/2018q2/000425.htmlMailing List, Vendor Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3675-1/Third Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3675-2/Third Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3675-3/Third Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3964-1/Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2018/dsa-4222Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2018/dsa-4223Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2018/dsa-4224Third Party Advisory
http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2018/06/08/2Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/152703/Johnny-You-Are-Fired.htmlThird Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2019/Apr/38Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/04/30/4Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/104450Broken Link
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1041051Broken Link
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2180Third Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2181Third Party Advisory
https://dev.gnupg.org/T4012Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/RUB-NDS/Johnny-You-Are-FiredTechnical Description, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/RUB-NDS/Johnny-You-Are-Fired/blob/master/paper/johnny-fired.pdfTechnical Description, Third Party Advisory
https://help.ecostruxureit.com/display/public/UADCE725/Security+fixes+in+StruxureWare+Data+Center+Expert+v7.6.0Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/12/msg00027.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.gnupg.org/pipermail/gnupg-announce/2018q2/000425.htmlMailing List, Vendor Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3675-1/Third Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3675-2/Third Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3675-3/Third Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3964-1/Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2018/dsa-4222Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2018/dsa-4223Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2018/dsa-4224Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Jun 8, 2018
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2018-12020?

How severe is CVE-2018-12020?

CVE-2018-12020 has a CVSS score of 7.5/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 8.65% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2018-12020?

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-2018-12020?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST