CVE-2020-12242
Valve Source allows local users to gain privileges by writing to the /tmp/hl2_relaunch file,...
CVE-2020-12242 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 7.8) in Valvesoftware Source, published April 27, 2020. Public exploit code exists. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 1.09%, the 65th percentile. No source names a fixed version.
- Severity
- 7.8 HighCVSS 3.1, NVD
- Exploit chance
- 1.09%EPSS, 65th percentile
- Exploitation
- None known1 public exploit
- Fixed in
- No fix listedNo source names one
Description
Valve Source allows local users to gain privileges by writing to the /tmp/hl2_relaunch file, which is later executed in the context of a different user account.
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
- High
- Availability
- High
Exploit likelihood
Affected products
Public exploits
Links only. Every CVE stores no exploit code.
| Source | Link | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Exploit-DB | Source Engine CS:GO BuildID: 4937372 - Arbitrary Code Execution | 2020-04-27 |
What each source reports
NVD Score used
Valve Source allows local users to gain privileges by writing to the /tmp/hl2_relaunch file, which is later executed in the context of a different user account.
- Record
CVE-2020-12242- CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - CVSS 2.0
- 7.2 High
AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C - Weakness
- CWE-78
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
CVE ListNo score
Valve Source allows local users to gain privileges by writing to the /tmp/hl2_relaunch file, which is later executed in the context of a different user account.
- Record
CVE-2020-12242- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2020-4557No score
Valve Source allows local users to gain privileges by writing to the /tmp/hl2_relaunch file, which is later executed in the context of a different user account.
- Record
EUVD-2020-4557- Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-wmwr-9cj7-xrgf
Valve Source allows local users to gain privileges by writing to the /tmp/hl2_relaunch file,...
Valve Source allows local users to gain privileges by writing to the /tmp/hl2_relaunch file, which is later executed in the context of a different user account.
- Record
GHSA-wmwr-9cj7-xrgf- CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Weakness
- CWE-78, CWE-269
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| facts | ||
| aliases | EUVD | |
| first indexed | CVE List, Exploit-DB, GitHub Advisories, NVD |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.