How severe is CVE-2020-21583?

CVE-2020-21583 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.7, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-21583 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (40th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-21583?

CVE-2020-21583 affects Kernel Util-linux. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-21583?

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

When was CVE-2020-21583 published?

CVE-2020-21583 was published on 2023-08-22 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-21583

CVE-2020-21583 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Kernel Util-linux with a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.7. 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-78.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 6.7)
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (40th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-78
Affected product: Kernel Util-linux
Published: 2023-08-22
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

An issue was discovered in hwclock.13-v2.27 allows attackers to gain escalated privlidges or execute arbitrary commands via the path parameter when setting the date.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-21583?: An issue was discovered in hwclock.13-v2.27 allows attackers to gain escalated privlidges or execute arbitrary commands via the path parameter when setting the date.
How severe is CVE-2020-21583?: CVE-2020-21583 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.7, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-21583 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (40th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-21583?: CVE-2020-21583 affects Kernel Util-linux. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-21583?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2020-21583 published?: CVE-2020-21583 was published on 2023-08-22 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:kernel:util-linux:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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