CVE-2020-16118

Name: CVE-2020-16118
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-07-29T18:15:15+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.5/10EPSS 2.05%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-16118 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.5/10 on the CVSS scale. In GNOME Balsa before 2.6.0, a malicious server operator or man in the middle can trigger a NULL pointer dereference and client crash by sending a PREAUTH response to imap_mbox_connect in libbalsa/imap/imap-handle.c.. EPSS estimates a 2.05% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

In GNOME Balsa before 2.6.0, a malicious server operator or man in the middle can trigger a NULL pointer dereference and client crash by sending a PREAUTH response to imap_mbox_connect in libbalsa/imap/imap-handle.c.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.5/10

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

EPSS Probability

2.05%

78.8th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-476

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions	Update
Gnome	Balsa	< 2.6.0	—
Opensuse	Backports Sle	15.0	Sp1
Opensuse	Leap	15.1	—

References

http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-08/msg00035.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-08/msg00045.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/balsa/-/commit/4e245d758e1c826a01080d40c22ca8706f0339e5Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/balsa/-/issues/23Exploit, Third Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-08/msg00035.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-08/msg00045.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/balsa/-/commit/4e245d758e1c826a01080d40c22ca8706f0339e5Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/balsa/-/issues/23Exploit, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-16118?

How severe is CVE-2020-16118?

CVE-2020-16118 has a CVSS score of 7.5/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 2.05% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-16118?

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-2020-16118?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST