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Vulnerability record · CVE-2020-16122 · published 7 November 2020

CVE-2020-16122: Packagekit project packagekit improper privilege management vulnerability

Packagekit Project · Packagekit

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.

7.8 CVSS 3.1 High EPSS 0.34% · top 75.2% CWE-269 · Improper privilege managementCWE-345 · Insufficient verification of data authenticity
7.8CVSS 3.1 base score, v2 2.1
0.34%EPSS exploitation probability, 30 days
NoNot in CISA KEV
2Affected product versions listed by NVD
2References
17 Jun 2026Last modified by NVD

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.

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected products

2 vulnerable configurations from NVD's CPE data, grouped by vendor and product.

References

LinkTags
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/packagekit/+bug/1882098 Issue TrackingThird Party Advisory
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/packagekit/+bug/1882098 Issue TrackingThird Party Advisory

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Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2020-16122), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-09-26). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.