CVE-2020-13092

Name: CVE-2020-13092
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-05-15T19:15:12.277+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10EPSS 2.65%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-13092 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. scikit-learn (aka sklearn) through 0.23.0 can unserialize and execute commands from an untrusted file that is passed to the joblib.load() function, if __reduce__ makes an os.system call. NOTE: third parties dispute this issue because the joblib.load() function is documented as unsafe and it is the user's responsibility to use the function in a secure manner. EPSS estimates a 2.65% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

scikit-learn (aka sklearn) through 0.23.0 can unserialize and execute commands from an untrusted file that is passed to the joblib.load() function, if __reduce__ makes an os.system call. NOTE: third parties dispute this issue because the joblib.load() function is documented as unsafe and it is the user's responsibility to use the function in a secure manner

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

2.65%

83.7th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-502

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Scikit-Learn	Scikit-Learn	<= 0.23.0

References

https://github.com/0FuzzingQ/vuln/blob/master/sklearn%20unserialize.mdExploit, Third Party Advisory
https://scikit-learn.org/stable/modules/model_persistence.html#security-maintainability-limitationsThird Party Advisory
https://github.com/0FuzzingQ/vuln/blob/master/sklearn%20unserialize.mdExploit, Third Party Advisory
https://scikit-learn.org/stable/modules/model_persistence.html#security-maintainability-limitationsThird Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: May 15, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-13092?

How severe is CVE-2020-13092?

CVE-2020-13092 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 2.65% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-13092?

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-2020-13092?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST