CVE-2020-15145: In Composer-Setup for Windows before version 6.0.0, if the developer's computer is shared with other users, a local attacker may be able to exploit th...

Description

In Composer-Setup for Windows before version 6.0.0, if the developer's computer is shared with other users, a local attacker may be able to exploit the following scenarios. 1. A local regular user may modify the existing `C:\ProgramData\ComposerSetup\bin\composer.bat` in order to get elevated command execution when composer is run by an administrator. 2. A local regular user may create a specially crafted dll in the `C:\ProgramData\ComposerSetup\bin` folder in order to get Local System privileges. See: https://itm4n.github.io/windows-server-netman-dll-hijacking. 3. If the directory of the php.exe selected by the user is not in the system path, it is added without checking that it is admin secured, as per Microsoft guidelines. See: https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2018/04/04/triaging-a-dll-planting-vulnerability.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

8.2/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.40%

32.2th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-276

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Getcomposer	Composer-Setup	< 6.0.0

References

https://github.com/composer/windows-setup/commit/ca9f1435d368e3377e82d60ef0c7b795afa9f804Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/composer/windows-setup/security/advisories/GHSA-wgrx-r3qv-332cThird Party Advisory
https://github.com/composer/windows-setup/commit/ca9f1435d368e3377e82d60ef0c7b795afa9f804Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/composer/windows-setup/security/advisories/GHSA-wgrx-r3qv-332cThird Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Aug 14, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-15145?

In Composer-Setup for Windows before version 6.0.0, if the developer's computer is shared with other users, a local attacker may be able to exploit the following scenarios. 1. A local regular user may modify the existing `C:\ProgramData\ComposerSetup\bin\composer.bat` in order to get elevated command execution when composer is run by an administrator. 2. A local regular user may create a specially crafted dll in the `C:\ProgramData\ComposerSetup\bin` folder in order to get Local System privileges. See: https://itm4n.github.io/windows-server-netman-dll-hijacking. 3. If the directory of the php.exe selected by the user is not in the system path, it is added without checking that it is admin secured, as per Microsoft guidelines. See: https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2018/04/04/triaging-a-dll-planting-vulnerability.

How severe is CVE-2020-15145?

CVE-2020-15145 has a CVSS score of 8.2/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.40% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-15145?

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.