CVE-2020-16123

Name: CVE-2020-16123
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-12-04T00:15:11.88+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 4.7/10EPSS 0.31%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-16123 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 4.7/10 on the CVSS scale. An Ubuntu-specific patch in PulseAudio created a race condition where the snap policy module would fail to identify a client connection from a snap as coming from a snap if SCM_CREDENTIALS were missing, allowing the snap to connect to PulseAudio without proper confinement. This could be exploited by an attacker to expose sensitive information. EPSS estimates a 0.31% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

An Ubuntu-specific patch in PulseAudio created a race condition where the snap policy module would fail to identify a client connection from a snap as coming from a snap if SCM_CREDENTIALS were missing, allowing the snap to connect to PulseAudio without proper confinement. This could be exploited by an attacker to expose sensitive information. Fixed in 1:13.99.3-1ubuntu2, 1:13.99.2-1ubuntu2.1, 1:13.99.1-1ubuntu3.8, 1:11.1-1ubuntu7.11, and 1:8.0-0ubuntu3.15.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

4.7/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.31%

23.1th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	16.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	18.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	20.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	20.10

References

https://launchpad.net/bugs/1895928Exploit, Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://ubuntu.com/USN-4640-1Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://launchpad.net/bugs/1895928Exploit, Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://ubuntu.com/USN-4640-1Patch, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-16123?

How severe is CVE-2020-16123?

CVE-2020-16123 has a CVSS score of 4.7/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.31% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-16123?

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-2020-16123?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST