CVE-2019-20044
HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 0.50%
Last modified
CVE-2019-20044 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. In Zsh before 5.8, attackers able to execute commands can regain privileges dropped by the --no-PRIVILEGED option. Zsh fails to overwrite the saved uid, so the original privileges can be restored by executing MODULE_PATH=/dir/with/module zmodload with a module that calls setuid().. EPSS estimates a 0.50% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.
Description
In Zsh before 5.8, attackers able to execute commands can regain privileges dropped by the --no-PRIVILEGED option. Zsh fails to overwrite the saved uid, so the original privileges can be restored by executing MODULE_PATH=/dir/with/module zmodload with a module that calls setuid().
Metrics
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Weakness Enumeration
Affected Software
| Vendor | Product | Versions |
|---|---|---|
| Zsh | Zsh | < 5.8 |
| Fedoraproject | Fedora | 30 |
| Fedoraproject | Fedora | 31 |
| Debian | Debian Linux | 8.0 |
| Debian | Debian Linux | 9.0 |
| Apple | Ipados | < 13.5 |
| Apple | Iphone Os | < 13.5 |
| Apple | Mac Os X | < 10.15.5 |
| Apple | Mac Os X | >= 10.13.0, < 10.13.6 |
| Apple | Mac Os X | >= 10.14.0, < 10.14.6 |
| Apple | Mac Os X | >= 10.15, < 10.15.5 |
| Apple | Mac Os X | 10.13.6 |
| Apple | Mac Os X | 10.14.6 |
| Apple | Tvos | < 13.4.5 |
| Apple | Watchos | < 6.2.5 |
References
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/May/49Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/May/53Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/May/55Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/May/59Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
- http://zsh.sourceforge.net/releases.htmlRelease Notes, Third Party Advisory
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/03/msg00004.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/12/msg00000.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202003-55Third Party Advisory
- https://support.apple.com/HT211168Third Party Advisory
- https://support.apple.com/HT211170Third Party Advisory
- https://support.apple.com/HT211171Third Party Advisory
- https://support.apple.com/HT211175Third Party Advisory
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211168Third Party Advisory
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211170Third Party Advisory
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211171Third Party Advisory
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211175Third Party Advisory
- https://www.zsh.org/mla/zsh-announce/141Release Notes, Vendor Advisory
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/May/49Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/May/53Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/May/55Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/May/59Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
- http://zsh.sourceforge.net/releases.htmlRelease Notes, Third Party Advisory
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/03/msg00004.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/12/msg00000.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202003-55Third Party Advisory
- https://support.apple.com/HT211168Third Party Advisory
- https://support.apple.com/HT211170Third Party Advisory
- https://support.apple.com/HT211171Third Party Advisory
- https://support.apple.com/HT211175Third Party Advisory
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211168Third Party Advisory
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211170Third Party Advisory
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211171Third Party Advisory
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211175Third Party Advisory
- https://www.zsh.org/mla/zsh-announce/141Release Notes, Vendor Advisory
Timeline
- Published
- Last Modified
- Status
- Modified
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2019-20044?
In Zsh before 5.8, attackers able to execute commands can regain privileges dropped by the --no-PRIVILEGED option. Zsh fails to overwrite the saved uid, so the original privileges can be restored by executing MODULE_PATH=/dir/with/module zmodload with a module that calls setuid().
How severe is CVE-2019-20044?
CVE-2019-20044 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.50% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
How do I fix CVE-2019-20044?
Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.
How Strix Helps
- How Strix found a critical auth bypass in etcdStrix autonomously discovered a critical authentication bypass in etcd, later designated CVE-2026-33413.
- Autonomous PentestingAI agents that find and validate exploitable vulnerabilities like this one across your applications.
- PR ReviewsPentest every pull request so vulnerable code is caught before it ships to production.
- AI Penetration TestingHow AI-driven penetration testing continuously covers your attack surface.
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Scan your code nowSource: NVD / NIST