CVE-2022-23220
CVE-2022-23220 is a high-severity vulnerability in Usbview Project Usbview with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. 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: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
- CVSS v2: 7.2
- EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (40th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-306
- Affected product: Usbview Project Usbview
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
USBView 2.1 before 2.2 allows some local users (e.g., ones logged in via SSH) to execute arbitrary code as root because certain Polkit settings (e.g., allow_any=yes) for pkexec disable the authentication requirement. Code execution can, for example, use the --gtk-module option. This affects Ubuntu, Debian, and Gentoo.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2022-23220?
- USBView 2.1 before 2.2 allows some local users (e.g., ones logged in via SSH) to execute arbitrary code as root because certain Polkit settings (e.g., allow_any=yes) for pkexec disable the authentication requirement. Code execution can, for example, use the --gtk-module option. This affects Ubuntu, Debian, and Gentoo.
- How severe is CVE-2022-23220?
- CVE-2022-23220 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2022-23220 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-2022-23220?
- CVE-2022-23220 affects Usbview Project Usbview. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2022-23220?
- 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-2022-23220 published?
- CVE-2022-23220 was published on 2022-01-21 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/01/22/1
- https://github.com/gregkh/usbview/commit/bf374fa4e5b9a756789dfd88efa93806a395463b
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202310-15
- https://www.debian.org/security/2022/dsa-5052
- https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/01/21/1
Affected products (1)
- cpe:2.3:a:usbview_project:usbview:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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 →