CVE-2020-25697 Auth bypass in xorg-x11-server

High 7.0 Published 26 May 2021 Updated 4 Aug 2024

Attackers can escalate privileges and execute code by impersonating the X server due to missing client authentication in Xorg-x11-server.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Any signed-in user
Attackable: Local or same network only
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: Available

What is CVE-2020-25697?

CVE-2020-25697 is a high-severity authentication bypass vulnerability in X.org X Server, published on 26 May 2021. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

Official description

A privilege escalation flaw was found in the Xorg-x11-server due to a lack of authentication for X11 clients. This flaw allows an attacker to take control of an X application by impersonating the server it is expecting to connect to.

Weakness: CWE-306

Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-25697?

It affects 1 product.

Linux distribution packages (7)

`xtrans` SUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Basesystem 15 SP4	All versions	`1.3.5-150000.3.3.1`
`xtrans` SUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Basesystem 15 SP5	All versions	`1.3.5-150000.3.3.1`
`xtrans` SUSE:Linux Enterprise Real Time 15 SP3	All versions	`1.3.5-150000.3.3.1`
`xtrans` SUSE:Linux Enterprise Software Development Kit 12 SP5	All versions	`1.3.5-5.3.1`
`xtrans` openSUSE:Leap 15.4	All versions	`1.3.5-150000.3.3.1`
`xtrans` openSUSE:Leap 15.5	All versions	`1.3.5-150000.3.3.1`
`xtrans` openSUSE:Tumbleweed	All versions	`1.5.0-1.1`

Products include X.org X Server.

How do I fix CVE-2020-25697?

Apply the vendor's patch.

Upgrade, and rotate credentials and sessions that may have been exposed. More about Authentication bypass.

Is CVE-2020-25697 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-25697 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All X.org X Server vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as GHSA-qrj9-jg63-p8hg, SUSE-SU-2023:3189-1, SUSE-SU-2023:3190-1, UBUNTU-CVE-2020-25697, openSUSE-SU-2024:12993-1.