CVE-2022-23220

Name: CVE-2022-23220
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2022-01-21T16:15:08.193+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 0.52%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2022-23220 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. USBView 2.1 before 2.2 allows some local users (e.g., ones logged in via SSH) to execute arbitrary code as root because certain Polkit settings (e.g., allow_any=yes) for pkexec disable the authentication requirement. Code execution can, for example, use the --gtk-module option. EPSS estimates a 0.52% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

USBView 2.1 before 2.2 allows some local users (e.g., ones logged in via SSH) to execute arbitrary code as root because certain Polkit settings (e.g., allow_any=yes) for pkexec disable the authentication requirement. Code execution can, for example, use the --gtk-module option. This affects Ubuntu, Debian, and Gentoo.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.52%

40.2th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-306

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Usbview Project	Usbview	< 2.2

References

http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/01/22/1Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/gregkh/usbview/commit/bf374fa4e5b9a756789dfd88efa93806a395463bPatch, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202310-15Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2022/dsa-5052Third Party Advisory
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/01/21/1Exploit, Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/01/22/1Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/gregkh/usbview/commit/bf374fa4e5b9a756789dfd88efa93806a395463bPatch, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202310-15Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2022/dsa-5052Third Party Advisory
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/01/21/1Exploit, Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Jan 21, 2022
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2022-23220?

How severe is CVE-2022-23220?

CVE-2022-23220 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.52% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2022-23220?

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-2022-23220?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST