CVE-2020-17496

Name: CVE-2020-17496
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-08-12T14:15:13.017+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10Actively ExploitedEPSS 87.74%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-17496 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. vBulletin 5.5.4 through 5.6.2 allows remote command execution via crafted subWidgets data in an ajax/render/widget_tabbedcontainer_tab_panel request. NOTE: this issue exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2019-16759.. CISA has confirmed active exploitation in the wild. EPSS estimates a 87.74% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

vBulletin 5.5.4 through 5.6.2 allows remote command execution via crafted subWidgets data in an ajax/render/widget_tabbedcontainer_tab_panel request. NOTE: this issue exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2019-16759.

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

87.74%

99.7th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Exploitation Status

This vulnerability is listed in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies must remediate by May 3, 2022.

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Vbulletin	Vbulletin	>= 5.5.4, <= 5.6.2

References

https://blog.exploitee.rs/2020/exploiting-vbulletin-a-tale-of-patch-fail/Exploit, Third Party Advisory
https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/78.htmlTechnical Description
https://forum.vbulletin.com/forum/vbulletin-announcements/vbulletin-announcements_aa/4445227-vbulletin-5-6-0-5-6-1-5-6-2-security-patchPatch, Vendor Advisory
https://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Aug/5Exploit, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://blog.exploitee.rs/2020/exploiting-vbulletin-a-tale-of-patch-fail/Exploit, Third Party Advisory
https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/78.htmlTechnical Description
https://forum.vbulletin.com/forum/vbulletin-announcements/vbulletin-announcements_aa/4445227-vbulletin-5-6-0-5-6-1-5-6-2-security-patchPatch, Vendor Advisory
https://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Aug/5Exploit, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-17496US Government Resource

Timeline

Published: Aug 12, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-17496?

How severe is CVE-2020-17496?

CVE-2020-17496 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 87.74% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

How do I fix CVE-2020-17496?

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-2020-17496?

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

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Source: NVD / NIST