CVE-2020-16125

Name: CVE-2020-16125
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-11-10T05:15:11.893+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 6.8/10EPSS 1.11%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-16125 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 6.8/10 on the CVSS scale. gdm3 versions before 3.36.2 or 3.38.2 would start gnome-initial-setup if gdm3 can't contact the accountservice service via dbus in a timely manner; on Ubuntu (and potentially derivatives) this could be be chained with an additional issue that could allow a local user to create a new privileged account.. EPSS estimates a 1.11% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

gdm3 versions before 3.36.2 or 3.38.2 would start gnome-initial-setup if gdm3 can't contact the accountservice service via dbus in a timely manner; on Ubuntu (and potentially derivatives) this could be be chained with an additional issue that could allow a local user to create a new privileged account.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

6.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

1.11%

61.7th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Gnome	Gnome Display Manager	< 3.36.2
Gnome	Gnome Display Manager	>= 3.38.0, < 3.38.2

References

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gdm3/+bug/1900314Third Party Advisory
https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gdm/-/issues/642Exploit, Vendor Advisory
https://securitylab.github.com/advisories/GHSL-2020-202-gdm3-LPE-unresponsive-accounts-daemonExploit, Third Party Advisory
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gdm3/+bug/1900314Third Party Advisory
https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gdm/-/issues/642Exploit, Vendor Advisory
https://securitylab.github.com/advisories/GHSL-2020-202-gdm3-LPE-unresponsive-accounts-daemonExploit, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Nov 10, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-16125?

How severe is CVE-2020-16125?

CVE-2020-16125 has a CVSS score of 6.8/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 1.11% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-16125?

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-2020-16125?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST