CVE-2020-17446: asyncpg before 0.21.0 allows a malicious PostgreSQL server to trigger a crash or execute arbitrary code (on a

Q: How do I fix CVE-2020-17446?

asyncpg: upgrade to 0.21.0; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2020-17446 being exploited?

CVE-2020-17446 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2020-17446 affect?

CVE-2020-17446 affects asyncpg, debian linux. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). asyncpg before 0.21.0 allows a malicious PostgreSQL server to trigger a crash or execute arbitrary code (on a database client) via a crafted server response, because of access to an uninitialized pointer in the array data decoder.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2020-17446?

Priority 65/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2020-17446 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting asyncpg, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

asyncpg before 0.21.0 allows a malicious PostgreSQL server to trigger a crash or execute arbitrary code (on a database client) via a crafted server response, because of access to an uninitialized pointer in the array data decoder.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.4% (top 16%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-824
Published	2020-08-12
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · magic

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-08-12 16:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:58 UTCUpdated Record last modified

magic asyncpg UPGRADE

Affected: < 0.21.0

Fixed in: 0.21.0

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 0.21.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade asyncpg

Note

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

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 9.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.0

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-2020-17446?

asyncpg: upgrade to 0.21.0; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-17446 being exploited?

CVE-2020-17446 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-2020-17446 affect?

CVE-2020-17446 affects asyncpg, debian linux. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). asyncpg before 0.21.0 allows a malicious PostgreSQL server to trigger a crash or execute arbitrary code (on a database client) via a crafted server response, because of access to an uninitialized pointer in the array data decoder.

How urgent is CVE-2020-17446?

Priority 65/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

PostgreSQL vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities

References

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