How severe is CVE-2020-16122?

CVE-2020-16122 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.2, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-16122 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (26th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-16122?

CVE-2020-16122 primarily affects Packagekit Project Packagekit. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-16122?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2020-16122 published?

CVE-2020-16122 was published on 2020-11-07 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-16122

CVE-2020-16122 is a high-severity vulnerability in Packagekit Project Packagekit with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.2. 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-345.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.2)
CVSS v2: 2.1
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (26th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-345
Affected product: Packagekit Project Packagekit
Published: 2020-11-07
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

PackageKit's apt backend mistakenly treated all local debs as trusted. The apt security model is based on repository trust and not on the contents of individual files. On sites with configured PolicyKit rules this may allow users to install malicious packages.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-16122?: PackageKit's apt backend mistakenly treated all local debs as trusted. The apt security model is based on repository trust and not on the contents of individual files. On sites with configured PolicyKit rules this may allow users to install malicious packages.
How severe is CVE-2020-16122?: CVE-2020-16122 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.2, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-16122 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (26th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-16122?: CVE-2020-16122 primarily affects Packagekit Project Packagekit. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-16122?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2020-16122 published?: CVE-2020-16122 was published on 2020-11-07 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/packagekit/+bug/1882098

Affected products (4)

cpe:2.3:a:packagekit_project:packagekit:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:18.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:20.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*

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