PatchTheCVECVE-2020-8169: curl 7.62.0 through 7.70.0 is vulnerable to an information disclosure vulnerability that can lead to a partial
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HIGH 7.5REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEUPGRADEMITIGATE
CVE-2020-8169 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting curl, simatic tim 1531 irc firmware, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
curl 7.62.0 through 7.70.0 is vulnerable to an information disclosure vulnerability that can lead to a partial password being leaked over the network and to the DNS server(s).
Why this priority
- High severity
- EPSS top 10%: very likely to be exploited
- Public exploit reference
- Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
- On your watchlist
A fixed release or distro patch exists.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 7.5 (High) |
| Attack vector | Network (remote) |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges needed | None |
| User interaction | None |
| EPSS exploit chance | 3.9% (top 10%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Weakness | CWE-200 |
| Published | 2020-12-14 |
| Last modified | 2026-11-02 |
Last updated 2026-11-02 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Updated Record last modified
haxx curl UPGRADE
Affected: >= 7.62.0 and <= 7.70.0
Fixed in: newer than 7.70.0
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.62.0
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy curl || rpm -q curl || curl --version
2. UPGRADE to newer than 7.70.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade curl
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade curl
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 7.62.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison curl
sudo apt install curl=<VERSION_BEFORE_7.62.0>
sudo apt-mark hold curl
3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list curl
sudo dnf downgrade curl-<VERSION_BEFORE_7.62.0>
sudo dnf versionlock add curl
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.
siemens simatic tim 1531 irc firmware UPGRADE
Affected: < 2.2
Fixed in: 2.2
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
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.
debian debian linux MITIGATE
Affected: 10.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.0
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.
siemens sinec infrastructure network services UPGRADE
Affected: < 1.0.1.1
Fixed in: 1.0.1.1
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy sinec-infrastructure-network-services || rpm -q sinec-infrastructure-network-services || sinec-infrastructure-network-services --version
2. UPGRADE to 1.0.1.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade sinec-infrastructure-network-services
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade sinec-infrastructure-network-services
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
splunk universal forwarder UPGRADE
Affected: >= 8.2.0 and < 8.2.12 · >= 9.0.0 and < 9.0.6 · 9.1.0
Fixed in: 8.2.12, 9.0.6
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.2.0
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy universal-forwarder || rpm -q universal-forwarder || universal-forwarder --version
2. UPGRADE to 8.2.12 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade universal-forwarder
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade universal-forwarder
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 8.2.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison universal-forwarder
sudo apt install universal-forwarder=<VERSION_BEFORE_8.2.0>
sudo apt-mark hold universal-forwarder
3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list universal-forwarder
sudo dnf downgrade universal-forwarder-<VERSION_BEFORE_8.2.0>
sudo dnf versionlock add universal-forwarder
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.
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-2020-8169?
curl: upgrade to newer than 7.70.0; simatic tim 1531 irc firmware: upgrade to 2.2; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2020-8169 being exploited?
CVE-2020-8169 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-2020-8169 affect?
CVE-2020-8169 affects curl, simatic tim 1531 irc firmware, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). curl 7.62.0 through 7.70.0 is vulnerable to an information disclosure vulnerability that can lead to a partial password being leaked over the network and to the DNS server(s).
How urgent is CVE-2020-8169?
Priority 64/100. High severity; EPSS top 10%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist
Software pages
Debian vulnerabilities · curl vulnerabilities · Splunk vulnerabilities · Siemens vulnerabilities
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