CVE-2020-27780

Name: CVE-2020-27780
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-12-18T00:15:14.33+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10EPSS 1.96%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-27780 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. A flaw was found in Linux-Pam in versions prior to 1.5.1 in the way it handle empty passwords for non-existing users. When the user doesn't exist PAM try to authenticate with root and in the case of an empty password it successfully authenticate.. EPSS estimates a 1.96% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A flaw was found in Linux-Pam in versions prior to 1.5.1 in the way it handle empty passwords for non-existing users. When the user doesn't exist PAM try to authenticate with root and in the case of an empty password it successfully authenticate.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

1.96%

77.8th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-287

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux-Pam	Linux-Pam	>= 1.5.0, < 1.5.1

References

https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1901094Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1901094Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Dec 18, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-27780?

How severe is CVE-2020-27780?

CVE-2020-27780 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 1.96% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-27780?

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-2020-27780?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST