---
title: "CVE-2018-20681\n    | Ubuntu"
description: Ubuntu is an open source software operating system that runs from the
  desktop, to the cloud, to all your internet connected things.
url: https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2018-20681?format=md
keywords: index, follow
---

# CVE-2018-20681

Publication date 9 January 2019

Last updated 26 August 2025

---

Ubuntu priority

**Medium**

[Why this priority?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#priority )

## Cvss 3 Severity Score

**6.1 · Medium**

[Score breakdown](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2018-20681?format=md#impact-score)

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## Description

mate-screensaver before 1.20.2 in MATE Desktop Environment allows
physically proximate attackers to view screen content and possibly control
applications. By unplugging and re-plugging or power-cycling external
output devices (such as additionally attached graphical outputs via HDMI,
VGA, DVI, etc.) the content of a screensaver-locked session can be
revealed. In some scenarios, the attacker can execute applications, such as
by clicking with a mouse.

## Status

Show unmaintained releases

| Package | Ubuntu Release | Status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| mate-screensaver | 26.04 LTS resolute | Not affected |
| 25.10 questing | Not affected |
| 25.04 plucky | Not affected |
| 24.10 oracular | Not affected |
| 24.04 LTS noble | Not affected |
| 23.10 mantic | Not affected |
| 23.04 lunar | Not affected |
| 22.10 kinetic | Not affected |
| 22.04 LTS jammy | Not affected |
| 21.10 impish | Not affected |
| 21.04 hirsute | Not affected |
| 20.10 groovy | Not affected |
| 20.04 LTS focal | Not affected |
| 19.10 eoan | Not affected |
| 19.04 disco | Not affected |
| 18.10 cosmic | Not affected |
| 18.04 LTS bionic | Needs evaluation |
| 16.04 LTS xenial | Needs evaluation |
| 14.04 LTS trusty | Not in release |

---

* [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security)
* [What do statuses mean?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#statuses)

## Severity score breakdown

CVSS version:
CVSS v3.0

**Base score**

6.1 · Medium

* Base metrics

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Attack vector | Physical |
  | Attack complexity | Low |
  | Privileges required | None |
  | User interaction | None |
  | Scope | Unchanged |
  | Confidentiality impact | High |
  | Integrity impact | High |
  | Availability impact | None |
* Scores

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Base score | 6.1 · Medium |
  | Exploitability score | - |
  | Impact score | - |

**Vector:** CVSS:3.0/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

## References

* [MITRE](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2018-20681)
* [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-20681)
* [Launchpad](https://launchpad.net/bugs/cve/CVE-2018-20681)
* [Debian](https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2018-20681)

### Other references

* <https://github.com/mate-desktop/mate-screensaver/issues/152>
* <https://github.com/mate-desktop/mate-screensaver/issues/155>
* <https://github.com/mate-desktop/mate-screensaver/issues/170>
* <https://github.com/mate-desktop/mate-screensaver/pull/167>
* <https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2018-20681>