CVE-2020-15163

Name: CVE-2020-15163
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-09-09T18:15:22.48+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 8.2/10EPSS 0.55%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-15163 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 8.2/10 on the CVSS scale. Python TUF (The Update Framework) reference implementation before version 0.12 it will incorrectly trust a previously downloaded root metadata file which failed verification at download time. This allows an attacker who is able to serve multiple new versions of root metadata (i.e. EPSS estimates a 0.55% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Python TUF (The Update Framework) reference implementation before version 0.12 it will incorrectly trust a previously downloaded root metadata file which failed verification at download time. This allows an attacker who is able to serve multiple new versions of root metadata (i.e. by a person-in-the-middle attack) culminating in a version which has not been correctly signed to control the trust chain for future updates. This is fixed in version 0.12 and newer.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

8.2/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.55%

42.0th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linuxfoundation	The Update Framework	< 0.12.0

References

https://github.com/theupdateframework/tuf/commit/3d342e648fbacdf43a13d7ba8886aaaf07334af7Broken Link
https://github.com/theupdateframework/tuf/pull/885Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/theupdateframework/tuf/releases/tag/v0.12.0Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/theupdateframework/tuf/security/advisories/GHSA-f8mr-jv2c-v8mgThird Party Advisory
https://pypi.org/project/tufProduct, Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/theupdateframework/tuf/commit/3d342e648fbacdf43a13d7ba8886aaaf07334af7Broken Link
https://github.com/theupdateframework/tuf/pull/885Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/theupdateframework/tuf/releases/tag/v0.12.0Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/theupdateframework/tuf/security/advisories/GHSA-f8mr-jv2c-v8mgThird Party Advisory
https://pypi.org/project/tufProduct, Vendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Sep 9, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-15163?

How severe is CVE-2020-15163?

CVE-2020-15163 has a CVSS score of 8.2/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.55% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-15163?

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-2020-15163?

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

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Source: NVD / NIST