CVE-2020-1712: A heap use-after-free vulnerability was found in systemd before version v245-rc1, where asynchronous Polkit qu

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HIGH 7.8WATCHLISTUPGRADEDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2020-1712 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting systemd, ceph storage, discovery. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A heap use-after-free vulnerability was found in systemd before version v245-rc1, where asynchronous Polkit queries are performed while handling dbus messages. A local unprivileged attacker can abuse this flaw to crash systemd services or potentially execute code and elevate their privileges, by sending specially crafted dbus messages.

Why this priority

High severity
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.5% (top 60%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-416
Published	2020-03-31
Last modified	2026-10-14

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

Last updated 2026-10-14 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-03-31 17:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-14 09:17 UTCUpdated Record last modified

systemd project systemd UPGRADE

Affected: <= 244

Fixed in: newer than 244

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 244 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade systemd

Note

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

redhat ceph storage DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison ceph-storage sudo apt install ceph-storage=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0> sudo apt-mark hold ceph-storage

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

dnf --showduplicates list ceph-storage sudo dnf downgrade ceph-storage-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0> sudo dnf versionlock add ceph-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 discovery MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

No fixed or unaffected release known

Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.

redhat migration toolkit DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy migration-toolkit || rpm -q migration-toolkit || migration-toolkit --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison migration-toolkit sudo apt install migration-toolkit=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0> sudo apt-mark hold migration-toolkit

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

dnf --showduplicates list migration-toolkit sudo dnf downgrade migration-toolkit-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0> sudo dnf versionlock add migration-toolkit

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 openshift container platform DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy openshift-container-platform || rpm -q openshift-container-platform || openshift-container-platform --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison openshift-container-platform sudo apt install openshift-container-platform=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0> sudo apt-mark hold openshift-container-platform

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

dnf --showduplicates list openshift-container-platform sudo dnf downgrade openshift-container-platform-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0> sudo dnf versionlock add openshift-container-platform

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: 8.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0

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-2020-1712?

systemd: upgrade to newer than 244; ceph storage: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; discovery: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-1712 being exploited?

CVE-2020-1712 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-2020-1712 affect?

CVE-2020-1712 affects systemd, ceph storage, discovery. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). A heap use-after-free vulnerability was found in systemd before version v245-rc1, where asynchronous Polkit queries are performed while handling dbus messages. A local unprivileged attacker can abuse this flaw to crash systemd services or p

How urgent is CVE-2020-1712?

Priority 42/100. High severity; On your watchlist

Software pages

Red Hat OpenShift vulnerabilities · Ceph vulnerabilities

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References

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