CVE-2019-20800

Name: CVE-2019-20800
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-05-18T00:15:11.33+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10EPSS 2.15%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2019-20800 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. In Cherokee through 1.2.104, remote attackers can trigger an out-of-bounds write in cherokee_handler_cgi_add_env_pair in handler_cgi.c by sending many request headers, as demonstrated by a GET request with many "Host: 127.0.0.1" headers.. EPSS estimates a 2.15% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

In Cherokee through 1.2.104, remote attackers can trigger an out-of-bounds write in cherokee_handler_cgi_add_env_pair in handler_cgi.c by sending many request headers, as demonstrated by a GET request with many "Host: 127.0.0.1" headers.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

2.15%

79.8th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-787

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Cherokee-Project	Cherokee	<= 1.2.104

References

https://github.com/cherokee/webserver/issues/1224Exploit, Third Party Advisory
https://logicaltrust.net/blog/2019/11/cherokee.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202012-09Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/cherokee/webserver/issues/1224Exploit, Third Party Advisory
https://logicaltrust.net/blog/2019/11/cherokee.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202012-09Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: May 18, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2019-20800?

How severe is CVE-2019-20800?

CVE-2019-20800 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 2.15% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2019-20800?

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.

Are you affected by CVE-2019-20800?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST