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CVE-2020-1971: The X.509 GeneralName type is a generic type for representing different types of names

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MEDIUM 5.9REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2020-1971 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.9) affecting openssl, debian linux, fedora. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The X.509 GeneralName type is a generic type for representing different types of names. One of those name types is known as EDIPartyName. OpenSSL provides a function GENERAL_NAME_cmp which compares different instances of a GENERAL_NAME to see if they are equal or not. This function behaves incorrectly when both GENERAL_NAMEs contain an EDIPARTYNAME. A NULL pointer dereference and a crash may occur leading to a possible denial of service attack. O

Why this priority

  • EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited
  • Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
  • On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score5.9 (Medium)
Attack vectorNetwork (remote)
Attack complexityHigh
Privileges neededNone
User interactionNone
EPSS exploit chance7.0% (top 6%)
CISA exploited listNo
WeaknessCWE-476
Published2020-12-08
Last modified2026-06-17
Publisher (CNA): OpenSSL Software Foundation · Vendor: debian · fedoraproject · openssl · oracle

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

openssl openssl UPGRADE
Affected: >= 1.0.2 and < 1.0.2x · >= 1.1.1 and < 1.1.1i
Fixed in: 1.0.2x, 1.1.1i
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy openssl || rpm -q openssl || openssl --version
2. UPGRADE to 1.0.2x (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade openssl
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade openssl
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
debian debian linux MITIGATE
Affected: 9.0 · 10.0
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.
fedoraproject fedora MITIGATE
Affected: 32 · 33
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 32
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.
oracle api gateway DOWNGRADE
Affected: 11.1.2.4.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 11.1.2.4.0
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy api-gateway || rpm -q api-gateway || api-gateway --version
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 11.1.2.4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison api-gateway sudo apt install api-gateway=<VERSION_BEFORE_11.1.2.4.0> sudo apt-mark hold api-gateway
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list api-gateway sudo dnf downgrade api-gateway-<VERSION_BEFORE_11.1.2.4.0> sudo dnf versionlock add api-gateway
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.
oracle business intelligence DOWNGRADE
Affected: 5.5.0.0.0 · 5.9.0.0.0 · 12.2.1.3.0 · 12.2.1.4.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.5.0.0.0
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy business-intelligence || rpm -q business-intelligence || business-intelligence --version
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.5.0.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison business-intelligence sudo apt install business-intelligence=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.5.0.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold business-intelligence
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list business-intelligence sudo dnf downgrade business-intelligence-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.5.0.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add business-intelligence
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.
oracle communications cloud native core network function cloud native environment DOWNGRADE
Affected: 1.10.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.10.0
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy communications-cloud-native-core-network-function-cloud-native-environment || rpm -q communications-cloud-native-core-network-function-cloud-native-environment || communications-cloud-native-core-network-function-cloud-native-environment --version
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.10.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison communications-cloud-native-core-network-function-cloud-native-environment sudo apt install communications-cloud-native-core-network-function-cloud-native-environment=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.10.0> sudo apt-mark hold communications-cloud-native-core-network-function-cloud-native-environment
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list communications-cloud-native-core-network-function-cloud-native-environment sudo dnf downgrade communications-cloud-native-core-network-function-cloud-native-environment-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.10.0> sudo dnf versionlock add communications-cloud-native-core-network-function-cloud-native-environment
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.
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-2020-1971?

openssl: upgrade to 1.0.2x, 1.1.1i; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-1971 being exploited?

CVE-2020-1971 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-2020-1971 affect?

CVE-2020-1971 affects openssl, debian linux, fedora. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.9). The X.509 GeneralName type is a generic type for representing different types of names. One of those name types is known as EDIPartyName. OpenSSL provides a function GENERAL_NAME_cmp which compares different instances of a GENERAL_NAME to s

How urgent is CVE-2020-1971?

Priority 54/100. EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

OpenSSL vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

References

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