Use after free in [UNKNOWN] systemd
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-416 and the CVSS impact.
Summary
A heap use-after-free vulnerability was found in systemd before version v245-rc1, where asynchronous Polkit queries are performed while handling dbus messages. A local unprivileged attacker can abuse this flaw to crash systemd services or potentially execute code and elevate their privileges, by sending specially crafted dbus messages.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [UNKNOWN] | systemd | before v245-rc1 | v245-rc1 | Patch available | CNA |
- systemd Vendor[UNKNOWN] Affected before v245-rc1 Fixed in v245-rc1 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 7
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:systemd_project:systemd:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | up to 244 | Vulnerable | systemd |
| cpe:2.3:a:redhat:ceph_storage:4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 4.0 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:a:redhat:discovery:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:a:redhat:migration_toolkit:1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 1.0 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:a:redhat:openshift_container_platform:4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 4.0 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 8.0 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 9.0 | Vulnerable | Debian |
- cpe:2.3:a:systemd_project:systemd:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions up to 244 Vulnerable ·systemd
- cpe:2.3:a:redhat:ceph_storage:4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 4.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:a:redhat:discovery:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:a:redhat:migration_toolkit:1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 1.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:a:redhat:openshift_container_platform:4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 4.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 8.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 9.0 Vulnerable ·Debian
Remediation
- Fix · CNA systemd ([UNKNOWN]) Fixed in v245-rc1
Red Hat 2 advisories
- RHSA-2020:0575 Released 2020-02-24 · Red Hat rating Importantsystemd security and bug fix update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 8) systemd-239-18.el8_1.4, systemd-container-239-18.el8_1.4, systemd-devel-239-18.el8_1.4 +5
- RHSA-2020:0564 Released 2020-02-20 · Red Hat rating Importantsystemd security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v. 8.0) systemd-239-13.el8_0.7, systemd-container-239-13.el8_0.7, systemd-devel-239-13.el8_0.7 +5
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Important. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS (v. 8) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:0575 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux BaseOS E4S (v. 8.0) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:0564 |
Not affected: 3 products
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
- Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2020-1712
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-wggx-8wf7-vg3g
References
Patch 6
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=CVE-2020-1712
- https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2020/02/05/1
- https://github.com/systemd/systemd/commit/ea0d0ede03c6f18dbc5036c5e9cccf97e415ccc2
- https://github.com/systemd/systemd/commit/1068447e6954dc6ce52f099ed174c442cb89ed54
- https://github.com/systemd/systemd/commit/637486261528e8aa3da9f26a4487dc254f4b7abb
- https://github.com/systemd/systemd/commit/bc130b6858327b382b07b3985cf48e2aa9016b2d
Sources
- CVE-2020-1712 · CVE Program
- CVE-2020-1712 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-wggx-8wf7-vg3g · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2020-1712 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences