CVE-2020-12856

Name: CVE-2020-12856
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-05-18T04:15:09.91+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10EPSS 5.14%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-12856 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. OpenTrace, as used in COVIDSafe through v1.0.17, TraceTogether, ABTraceTogether, and other applications on iOS and Android, allows remote attackers to conduct long-term re-identification attacks and possibly have unspecified other impact, because of how Bluetooth is used.. EPSS estimates a 5.14% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

OpenTrace, as used in COVIDSafe through v1.0.17, TraceTogether, ABTraceTogether, and other applications on iOS and Android, allows remote attackers to conduct long-term re-identification attacks and possibly have unspecified other impact, because of how Bluetooth is used.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

5.14%

91.3th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Alberta	Abtracetogether	All versions
Health	Covidsafe	<= 1.0.17
Health	Covidsafe	All versions
Tracetogether	Tracetogether	All versions

References

https://covidsafe.watch/issue-register/cve-2020-12856-long-term-tracking-and-possibly-enables-other-bluetooth-based-attack-vectorsThird Party Advisory
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1u5a5ersKBH6eG362atALrzuXo3zuZ70qrGomWVEC27U/edit?usp=sharingThird Party Advisory
https://github.com/alwentiu/COVIDSafe-CVE-2020-12856/blob/master/README.mdThird Party Advisory
https://covidsafe.watch/issue-register/cve-2020-12856-long-term-tracking-and-possibly-enables-other-bluetooth-based-attack-vectorsThird Party Advisory
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1u5a5ersKBH6eG362atALrzuXo3zuZ70qrGomWVEC27U/edit?usp=sharingThird Party Advisory
https://github.com/alwentiu/COVIDSafe-CVE-2020-12856/blob/master/README.mdThird Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: May 18, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-12856?

How severe is CVE-2020-12856?

CVE-2020-12856 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 5.14% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-12856?

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-2020-12856?

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

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Source: NVD / NIST