CVE-2020-16117

Name: CVE-2020-16117
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-07-29T18:15:14.86+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 5.9/10EPSS 2.21%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-16117 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 5.9/10 on the CVSS scale. In GNOME evolution-data-server before 3.35.91, a malicious server can crash the mail client with a NULL pointer dereference by sending an invalid (e.g., minimal) CAPABILITY line on a connection attempt. This is related to imapx_free_capability and imapx_connect_to_server.. EPSS estimates a 2.21% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

In GNOME evolution-data-server before 3.35.91, a malicious server can crash the mail client with a NULL pointer dereference by sending an invalid (e.g., minimal) CAPABILITY line on a connection attempt. This is related to imapx_free_capability and imapx_connect_to_server.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

5.9/10

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

EPSS Probability

2.21%

80.3th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-476

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Gnome	Evolution-Data-Server	< 3.35.91
Debian	Debian Linux	9.0

References

https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/evolution-data-server/-/commit/2cc39592b532cf0dc994fd3694b8e6bf924c9ab5Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/evolution-data-server/-/commit/627c3cdbfd077e59aa288c85ff8272950577f1d7Release Notes, Vendor Advisory
https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/evolution-data-server/-/issues/189Exploit, Vendor Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/08/msg00005.htmlThird Party Advisory
https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/evolution-data-server/-/commit/2cc39592b532cf0dc994fd3694b8e6bf924c9ab5Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/evolution-data-server/-/commit/627c3cdbfd077e59aa288c85ff8272950577f1d7Release Notes, Vendor Advisory
https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/evolution-data-server/-/issues/189Exploit, Vendor Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/08/msg00005.htmlThird Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Jul 29, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-16117?

How severe is CVE-2020-16117?

CVE-2020-16117 has a CVSS score of 5.9/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 2.21% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-16117?

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-2020-16117?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST