How severe is CVE-2020-16117?

CVE-2020-16117 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.9, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-16117 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (80th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-16117?

CVE-2020-16117 primarily affects Gnome Evolution-data-server. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-16117?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2020-16117 published?

CVE-2020-16117 was published on 2020-07-29 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-16117

CVE-2020-16117 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Gnome Evolution-data-server with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.9. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-476.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.9)
CVSS v2: 4.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (80th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-476
Affected product: Gnome Evolution-data-server
Published: 2020-07-29
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

In GNOME evolution-data-server before 3.35.91, a malicious server can crash the mail client with a NULL pointer dereference by sending an invalid (e.g., minimal) CAPABILITY line on a connection attempt. This is related to imapx_free_capability and imapx_connect_to_server.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-16117?: In GNOME evolution-data-server before 3.35.91, a malicious server can crash the mail client with a NULL pointer dereference by sending an invalid (e.g., minimal) CAPABILITY line on a connection attempt. This is related to imapx_free_capability and imapx_connect_to_server.
How severe is CVE-2020-16117?: CVE-2020-16117 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.9, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-16117 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (80th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-16117?: CVE-2020-16117 primarily affects Gnome Evolution-data-server. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-16117?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2020-16117 published?: CVE-2020-16117 was published on 2020-07-29 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:gnome:evolution-data-server:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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