CVE-2020-14354

A possible use-after-free and double-free in c-ares lib version 1.16.0 if ares_destroy() is...

3.3 LowFix available

A possible use-after-free and double-free in c-ares lib version 1.16.0 if ares_destroy() is called prior to ares_getaddrinfo() completing. This flaw possibly allows an attacker to crash the service that uses c-ares lib. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to this service availability.

Attack profile

How easy it is to exploit

Attack vector: Local
Complexity: Low
Privileges needed: Low
User interaction: None

What an attacker can affect

Confidentiality: None
Integrity: None
Availability: Low

Exploit likelihood

0.53%Down 0.7 points since May 14, 2021

What each source reports

NVD Score used 3.3

Record: CVE-2020-14354
CVSS 3.1: 3.3 LowCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L
CVSS 2.0: 2.1 LowAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:P
Weakness: CWE-120, CWE-415, CWE-416
Updated: 2026-11-02

CVE List No score

Record: CVE-2020-14354
Weakness: CWE-120
Updated: 2026-11-02

EUVDEUVD-2020-6498 No score

Record: EUVD-2020-6498
Updated: 2026-11-03

GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-xxmg-3gv9-85h2 3.3

A possible use-after-free and double-free in c-ares lib version 1.16.0 if ares_destroy() is...

Record: GHSA-xxmg-3gv9-85h2
CVSS 3.1: 3.3 LowCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L
Weakness: CWE-120, CWE-415, CWE-416
Updated: 2026-11-02

OSVBELL-CVE-2020-14354 3.3

CVE-2020-14354 does not affect BellSoft software

Record: BELL-CVE-2020-14354
CVSS 3.1: 3.3 LowCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L
Updated: 2026-11-02

OSV 3.3

Record: CVE-2020-14354
CVSS 3.1: 3.3 LowCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L
Updated: 2026-11-02

OSVDEBIAN-CVE-2020-14354 3.3

Record: DEBIAN-CVE-2020-14354
CVSS 3.1: 3.3 LowCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L
Updated: 2026-11-02

Affected products

Affected packages

Affected packages
Package	Affected	Fixed
`c-ares` Debian:12	before 1.16.1-1	1.16.1-1
`c-ares` Debian:13	before 1.16.1-1	1.16.1-1
`c-ares` Debian:14	before 1.16.1-1	1.16.1-1

History

History
Recorded	Changed	Sources
Nov 3, 2026	aliases	EUVD
Nov 2, 2026	first indexed	CVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV

Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.

In short

CVE-2020-14354 is a low vulnerability (CVSS 3.3) in C-ares, published May 13, 2021. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.53%, the 44th percentile. Fixed in c-ares 1.16.1-1.

References

Show 4 moreShow less