How severe is CVE-2020-35185?

CVE-2020-35185 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-35185 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (85th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-35185?

CVE-2020-35185 affects Docker Ghost Alpine Docker Image. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-35185?

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

When was CVE-2020-35185 published?

CVE-2020-35185 was published on 2020-12-17 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-35185

CVE-2020-35185 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Docker Ghost Alpine Docker Image with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. 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-306.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 10.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 3% (85th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-306
Affected product: Docker Ghost Alpine Docker Image
Published: 2020-12-17
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The official ghost docker images before 2.16.1-alpine (Alpine specific) contain a blank password for a root user. System using the ghost docker container deployed by affected versions of the docker image may allow a remote attacker to achieve root access with a blank password.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-35185?: The official ghost docker images before 2.16.1-alpine (Alpine specific) contain a blank password for a root user. System using the ghost docker container deployed by affected versions of the docker image may allow a remote attacker to achieve root access with a blank password.
How severe is CVE-2020-35185?: CVE-2020-35185 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-35185 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (85th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-35185?: CVE-2020-35185 affects Docker Ghost Alpine Docker Image. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-35185?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2020-35185 published?: CVE-2020-35185 was published on 2020-12-17 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://github.com/koharin/koharin2/blob/main/CVE-2020-35185

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:docker:ghost_alpine_docker_image:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

Other CWE-306 (Missing Authentication for Critical Function) vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-54309 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): n8n is an open source workflow automation platform. Prior to 2.25.7 and 2.26.2, when @n8n/mcp-browser is run in HTTP…
CVE-2026-50242 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): In JetBrains Hub before 2026.1.13757, 2025.3.148033, 2025.2.148048, 2025.1.148120, 2024.3.148430, 2024.2.148429…
CVE-2026-49257 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): mcp-pinot is a Python-based Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for interacting with Apache Pinot. In versions 3.0.1…
CVE-2026-46846 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Vulnerability in the Oracle WebCenter Portal product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Security Framework).…
CVE-2026-46803 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Vulnerability in the Oracle WebCenter Portal product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Security Framework).…
CVE-2026-46800 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Vulnerability in the Oracle WebCenter Sites product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: WebCenter Sites).…

Browse all CWE-306 (Missing Authentication for Critical Function) vulnerabilities →