CVE-2020-15692

Name: CVE-2020-15692
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-08-14T19:15:12.317+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10EPSS 4.21%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-15692 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. In Nim 1.2.4, the standard library browsers mishandles the URL argument to browsers.openDefaultBrowser. This argument can be a local file path that will be opened in the default explorer. EPSS estimates a 4.21% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

In Nim 1.2.4, the standard library browsers mishandles the URL argument to browsers.openDefaultBrowser. This argument can be a local file path that will be opened in the default explorer. An attacker can pass one argument to the underlying open command to execute arbitrary registered system commands.

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

4.21%

89.7th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-88

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Nim-Lang	Nim	<= 1.2.6

References

http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/02/04/1Exploit, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://consensys.net/diligence/vulnerabilities/nim-browsers-argument-injection/Exploit, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/nim-lang/Nim/blob/dc5a40f3f39c6ea672e6dc6aca7f8118a69dda99/lib/pure/browsers.nim#L48Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://nim-lang.org/blog/2020/07/30/versions-126-and-108-released.htmlRelease Notes, Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/02/04/1Exploit, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://consensys.net/diligence/vulnerabilities/nim-browsers-argument-injection/Exploit, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/nim-lang/Nim/blob/dc5a40f3f39c6ea672e6dc6aca7f8118a69dda99/lib/pure/browsers.nim#L48Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://nim-lang.org/blog/2020/07/30/versions-126-and-108-released.htmlRelease Notes, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-15692?

How severe is CVE-2020-15692?

CVE-2020-15692 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 4.21% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-15692?

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-2020-15692?

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

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Source: NVD / NIST