CVE-2020-15704

pppd arbitrary file read information disclosure vulnerability

MEDIUM

5.5

CVSS Score

Published: August 31, 2020 at 11:15 PM UTC

Updated: June 17, 2026 at 02:57 AM UTC

2 products affected across 1 vendorPppUbuntu Linux

Using ppp by Canonical?

Get instant alerts when new vulnerabilities affect ppp - before attackers find them.

Real-time alertsTrack your software stackFree plan available

Start Free Sign In

Severity

MEDIUM5.5

Exploit prediction

EPSS 0.4%

Description

The modprobe child process in the ./debian/patches/load_ppp_generic_if_needed patch file incorrectly handled module loading. A local non-root attacker could exploit the MODPROBE_OPTIONS environment variable to read arbitrary root files. Fixed in 2.4.5-5ubuntu1.4, 2.4.5-5.1ubuntu2.3+esm2, 2.4.7-1+2ubuntu1.16.04.3, 2.4.7-2+2ubuntu1.3, 2.4.7-2+4.1ubuntu5.1, 2.4.7-2+4.1ubuntu6. Was ZDI-CAN-11504.

Affected

Our own answer: ranges merged, affected separated from platform-only, with confidence and review flags.

Ppp · Canonical

95%

v < 2.4.5-5.1ubuntu2.3+esm2v < 2.4.5-5ubuntu1.4v < 2.4.7-1+ubuntu1.16.04.3v < 2.4.7-2+2ubuntu1.3v < 2.4.7-2+4.1ubuntu5.12.4.5 ≤ v < 2.4.5-5ubuntu1.42.4.7 ≤ v < 2.4.7-1+2ubuntu1.16.04.32.4.5 2.4.7

Affected range stops below 2.4.5-5.1ubuntu2.3+esm2, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Affected range stops below 2.4.5-5ubuntu1.4, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Affected range stops below 2.4.7-1+2ubuntu1.16.04.3, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Affected range stops below 2.4.7-1+ubuntu1.16.04.3, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Affected range stops below 2.4.7-2+2ubuntu1.3, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Affected range stops below 2.4.7-2+4.1ubuntu5.1, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

canonical-ubuntu-linux (environment)

Ubuntu Linux · Canonicalrubygemsdevice

80%

All versions

Remediation

No guide yet

No remediation guidance has been written for this CVE yet. What the record does show:

Patch and advisory references

References (2)

Vendor Advisoryx_refsource_UBUNTU

Source: [email protected]

https://ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-4451-1

Vendor Advisoryx_refsource_UBUNTU

Source: [email protected]

https://ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-4451-2

CVSS

5.5MEDIUMcanonical

Attack Vector: LOCAL
Complexity: LOW
Privileges: LOW
User Interaction: NONE
Scope: UNCHANGED
Confidentiality: HIGH
Integrity: NONE
Availability: NONE

Vector?

Quick Info

StatusMODIFIED

CWE

CWE-200CWE-20

Get alerted

Stop reading CVE feeds looking for your own stack

Track the products you run and VulnTracker tells you when a new CVE affects them — with what is known about fixing it, and nothing about the rest.

Create account Sign in

Free plan, no card