CVE-2020-14318: A flaw was found in the way samba handled file and directory permissions

Routine

MEDIUM 4.3WATCHLISTUPGRADEDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2020-14318 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.3) affecting samba, storage, enterprise linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A flaw was found in the way samba handled file and directory permissions. An authenticated user could use this flaw to gain access to certain file and directory information which otherwise would be unavailable to the attacker.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.3 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.5% (top 25%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-266, CWE-269
Published	2020-12-03
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: redhat · samba

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-12-03 16:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:54 UTCUpdated Record last modified

samba samba UPGRADE

Affected: >= 3.6.0 and < 4.11.15 · >= 4.12.0 and < 4.12.9 · >= 4.13.0 and < 4.13.1

Fixed in: 4.11.15, 4.12.9, 4.13.1

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.6.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy samba || rpm -q samba || samba --version

2. UPGRADE to 4.11.15 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade samba

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade samba

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.6.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison samba sudo apt install samba=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.6.0> sudo apt-mark hold samba

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list samba sudo dnf downgrade samba-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.6.0> sudo dnf versionlock add samba

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

redhat storage DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy storage || rpm -q storage || storage --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison storage sudo apt install storage=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0> sudo apt-mark hold storage

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list storage sudo dnf downgrade storage-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0> sudo dnf versionlock add storage

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

redhat enterprise linux MITIGATE

Affected: 7.0 · 8.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2020-14318?

samba: upgrade to 4.11.15, 4.12.9, 4.13.1; storage: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; enterprise linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-14318 being exploited?

CVE-2020-14318 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2020-14318 affect?

CVE-2020-14318 affects samba, storage, enterprise linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.3). A flaw was found in the way samba handled file and directory permissions. An authenticated user could use this flaw to gain access to certain file and directory information which otherwise would be unavailable to the attacker.

How urgent is CVE-2020-14318?

Priority 39/100. On your watchlist

Software pages

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References

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