CVE-2020-12114

Name: CVE-2020-12114
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-05-04T12:15:12.577+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 4.7/10EPSS 0.42%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-12114 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 4.7/10 on the CVSS scale. A pivot_root race condition in fs/namespace.c in the Linux kernel 4.4.x before 4.4.221, 4.9.x before 4.9.221, 4.14.x before 4.14.178, 4.19.x before 4.19.119, and 5.x before 5.3 allows local users to cause a denial of service (panic) by corrupting a mountpoint reference counter.. EPSS estimates a 0.42% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A pivot_root race condition in fs/namespace.c in the Linux kernel 4.4.x before 4.4.221, 4.9.x before 4.9.221, 4.14.x before 4.14.178, 4.19.x before 4.19.119, and 5.x before 5.3 allows local users to cause a denial of service (panic) by corrupting a mountpoint reference counter.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

4.7/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.42%

33.9th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-362

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.4.0, < 4.4.221
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.9.0, < 4.9.221
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.14, < 4.14.178
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.19, < 4.19.119
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 5.0, < 5.3

References

Timeline

Published: May 4, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-12114?

How severe is CVE-2020-12114?

CVE-2020-12114 has a CVSS score of 4.7/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.42% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-12114?

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-2020-12114?

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

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Source: NVD / NIST