CVE-2020-12114

4.7 MEDIUM 0.4% exploit odds Fix listed

What it is

A pivot_root race condition in fs/namespace.c in the Linux kernel 4.4.x before 4.4.221, 4.9.x before 4.9.221, 4.14.x before 4.14.178, 4.19.x before 4.19.119, and 5.x before 5.3 allows local users to cause a denial of service (panic) by corrupting a mountpoint reference counter.

At a glance

Exploitability: Can be exploited locally on the machine with a low-privilege account. High risk of service disruption.
Exploit odds: 0.4% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Fix: A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

2020-05-04 12:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2026-06-17 02:51 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
Exploit odds: 0.4% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Severity: 4.7 MEDIUM (CVSS).
Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published: 2020-05-04 12:15 UTC
Last modified: 2026-06-17 02:51 UTC
Exploit probability: 0.4% · EPSS, next 30 days
Weakness: CWE-362 · Race condition
Record status: Modified

Affected

Linux Kernel < 4.4.221
Linux Kernel < 4.9.221
Linux Kernel < 4.14.178
Linux Kernel < 4.19.119
Linux Kernel < 5.3

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 4.7

Attack vector: Local
Complexity: High
Privileges needed: Low
User interaction: None
Scope: Unchanged
Confidentiality: None
Integrity: None
Availability: High

Raw vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2020-12114.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2020-12114. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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Fix and advisories

References

NVD record · CVE.org record