CVE-2020-4045: SSB-DB version 20.0.0 has an information disclosure vulnerability

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HIGH 7.5REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2020-4045 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting ssb-db. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

SSB-DB version 20.0.0 has an information disclosure vulnerability. The get() method is supposed to only decrypt messages when you explicitly ask it to, but there is a bug where it's decrypting any message that it can. This means that it is returning the decrypted content of private messages, which a malicious peer could use to get access to private data. This only affects peers running SSB-DB@20.0.0 who also have private messages, and is only kno

Why this priority

High severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.3% (top 30%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-200
Published	2020-06-11
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: scuttlebutt

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-06-11 22:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:19 UTCUpdated Record last modified

scuttlebutt ssb-db DOWNGRADE

Affected: 20.0.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 20.0.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy ssb-db || rpm -q ssb-db || ssb-db --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 20.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison ssb-db sudo apt install ssb-db=<VERSION_BEFORE_20.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold ssb-db

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

dnf --showduplicates list ssb-db sudo dnf downgrade ssb-db-<VERSION_BEFORE_20.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add ssb-db

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-2020-4045?

ssb-db: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-4045 being exploited?

CVE-2020-4045 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-2020-4045 affect?

CVE-2020-4045 affects ssb-db. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). SSB-DB version 20.0.0 has an information disclosure vulnerability. The get() method is supposed to only decrypt messages when you explicitly ask it to, but there is a bug where it's decrypting any message that it can. This means that it is

How urgent is CVE-2020-4045?

Priority 49/100. High severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

References

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