gdm3 would start gnome-initial-setup if it cannot contact accountservice
CVE-2020-16125

7.2HIGH

Key Information:

Vendor

Gnome
Status
Gdm3
Vendor
CVE Published:
10 November 2020

Badges

👾 Exploit Exists🟡 Public PoC🟣 EPSS 17%

What is CVE-2020-16125?

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.

Affected Version(s)

GDM3 3.36 < 3.36.4

GDM3 3.38 < 3.38.2

Exploit Proof of Concept (PoC)

PoC code is written by security researchers to demonstrate the vulnerability can be exploited. PoC code is also a key component for weaponization which could lead to ransomware.

CVE-2020-16125-Reproduction
Created by za970120604

References

https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gdm/-/issues/642
x_refsource_MISC
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gdm3/+bug/1900314
x_refsource_MISC
https://securitylab.github.com/advisories/GHSL-2020-202-g...
x_refsource_MISC

EPSS Score

17% chance of being exploited in the next 30 days.

CVSS V3.1

Score:
7.2
Severity:
HIGH
Confidentiality:
High
Integrity:
High
Availability:
High
Attack Vector:
Physical
Attack Complexity:
Low
Privileges Required:
Low
User Interaction:
Required
Scope:
Changed

Timeline

  • 🟡

    Public PoC available

  • 👾

    Exploit known to exist

  • Vulnerability published

  • Vulnerability Reserved

Credit

Kevin Backhouse
.