CVE-2020-15704
pppd arbitrary file read information disclosure vulnerability
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.
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
- High
- Integrity
- None
- Availability
- None
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
CVE List Score used
pppd arbitrary file read information disclosure vulnerability
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.
- Record
CVE-2020-15704- CVSS 3.1
- 5.5 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-200
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2020-7690
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.
- Record
EUVD-2020-7690- CVSS 3.1
- 5.5 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N - Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-2q4h-xfv6-4848 No score
The modprobe child process in the ./debian/patches/load_ppp_generic_if_needed patch file...
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.
- Record
GHSA-2q4h-xfv6-4848- Weakness
- CWE-20
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
NVD
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.
- Record
CVE-2020-15704- CVSS 3.1
- 5.5 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N - CVSS 2.0
- 2.1 Low
AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-200, CWE-20
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVUBUNTU-CVE-2020-15704
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.
- Record
UBUNTU-CVE-2020-15704- CVSS 3.1
- 5.5 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVUSN-4451-1 No score
ppp vulnerability
Thomas Chauchefoin working with Trend Micro´s Zero Day Initiative, discovered that ppp incorrectly handled module loading. A local attacker could use this issue to load arbitrary kernel modules and possibly execute arbitrary code.
- Record
USN-4451-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVUSN-4451-2 No score
ppp vulnerability
USN-4451-1 fixed a vulnerability in ppp. This update provides the corresponding update for Ubuntu 12.04 ESM and Ubuntu 14.04 ESM.
Original advisory details:
Thomas Chauchefoin working with Trend Micro´s Zero Day Initiative, discovered that ppp incorrectly handled module loading. A local attacker could use this issue to load arbitrary kernel modules and possibly execute arbitrary code.
- Record
USN-4451-2- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
pppUbuntu:Pro:14.04:LTS |
before 2.4.5-5.1ubuntu2.3+esm2, plus listed versions 2.4.5-5.1ubuntu22.4.5-5.1ubuntu2.12.4.5-5.1ubuntu2.22.4.5-5.1ubuntu2.32.4.5-5.1ubuntu2.3+esm1 |
2.4.5-5.1ubuntu2.3+esm2 |
pppUbuntu:16.04:LTS |
before 2.4.7-1+2ubuntu1.16.04.3, plus listed versions 2.4.6-3.1ubuntu12.4.7-1+1ubuntu12.4.7-1+2ubuntu12.4.7-1+2ubuntu1.16.04.12.4.7-1+2ubuntu1.16.04.2 |
2.4.7-1+2ubuntu1.16.04.3 |
pppUbuntu:18.04:LTS |
before 2.4.7-2+2ubuntu1.3, plus listed versions 2.4.7-1+2ubuntu12.4.7-1+4ubuntu12.4.7-1+4ubuntu32.4.7-2+1ubuntu12.4.7-2+2ubuntu12.4.7-2+2ubuntu1.12.4.7-2+2ubuntu1.2 |
2.4.7-2+2ubuntu1.3 |
pppUbuntu:20.04:LTS |
before 2.4.7-2+4.1ubuntu5.1, plus listed versions 2.4.7-2+4.1ubuntu42.4.7-2+4.1ubuntu5 |
2.4.7-2+4.1ubuntu5.1 |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| aliases, products | EUVD | |
| first indexed | CVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2020-15704 is a medium vulnerability (CVSS 5.5) in Canonical Ppp, published August 4, 2020. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.36%, the 30th percentile. Fixed in ppp 2.4.5-5.1ubuntu2.3+esm2.