How severe is CVE-2020-16125?

CVE-2020-16125 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2, rated high severity. It is exploitable over physical access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-16125 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (62nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-16125?

CVE-2020-16125 affects Gnome Gnome Display Manager. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-16125?

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-2020-16125 published?

CVE-2020-16125 was published on 2020-11-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-16125

CVE-2020-16125 is a high-severity vulnerability in Gnome Gnome Display Manager with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2. 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-754.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.2)
CVSS v2: 4.6
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (62nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-754
Affected product: Gnome Gnome Display Manager
Published: 2020-11-10
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

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.

Frequently asked questions

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.
How severe is CVE-2020-16125?: CVE-2020-16125 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2, rated high severity. It is exploitable over physical access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-16125 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (62nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-16125?: CVE-2020-16125 affects Gnome Gnome Display Manager. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-16125?: 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-2020-16125 published?: CVE-2020-16125 was published on 2020-11-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:gnome:gnome_display_manager:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Gnome Gnome Display Manager

CVE-2018-14424 — High (CVSS 7.8): The daemon in GDM through 3.29.1 does not properly unexport display objects from its D-Bus interface when they are…
CVE-2015-7496 — High (CVSS 7.2): GNOME Display Manager (gdm) before 3.18.2 allows physically proximate attackers to bypass the lock screen by holding…
CVE-2013-4169 — Medium (CVSS 6.9): GNOME Display Manager (gdm) before 2.21.1 allows local users to change permissions of arbitrary directories via a…
CVE-2020-27837 — Medium (CVSS 6.4): A flaw was found in GDM in versions prior to 3.38.2.1. A race condition in the handling of session shutdown makes it…
CVE-2019-3825 — Medium (CVSS 6.3): A vulnerability was discovered in gdm before 3.31.4. When timed login is enabled in configuration, an attacker could…
CVE-2017-12164 — Medium (CVSS 4.1): A flaw was discovered in gdm 3.24.1 where gdm greeter was no longer setting the ran_once boolean during autologin. If…

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