CVE-2020-17531

Name: CVE-2020-17531
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-12-08T13:15:13.01+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10EPSS 9.73%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-17531 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. A Java Serialization vulnerability was found in Apache Tapestry 4. Apache Tapestry 4 will attempt to deserialize the "sp" parameter even before invoking the page's validate method, leading to deserialization without authentication. EPSS estimates a 9.73% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A Java Serialization vulnerability was found in Apache Tapestry 4. Apache Tapestry 4 will attempt to deserialize the "sp" parameter even before invoking the page's validate method, leading to deserialization without authentication. Apache Tapestry 4 reached end of life in 2008 and no update to address this issue will be released. Apache Tapestry 5 versions are not vulnerable to this issue. Users of Apache Tapestry 4 should upgrade to the latest Apache Tapestry 5 version.

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

9.73%

94.9th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Apache	Tapestry	>= 4.0.0, < 5.0.1

References

http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/12/02/1Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r700a6aa234dbff0555d4187bdc8274d7e4c0afbf35b9a3457f09ee76%40%3Cusers.tapestry.apache.org%3EMailing List, Vendor Advisory
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r700a6aa234dbff0555d4187bdc8274d7e4c0afbf35b9a3457f09ee76%40%3Cusers.tapestry.apache.org%3EMailing List, Vendor Advisory
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r700a6aa234dbff0555d4187bdc8274d7e4c0afbf35b9a3457f09ee76%40%3Cusers.tapestry.apache.org%3EMailing List, Vendor Advisory
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r700a6aa234dbff0555d4187bdc8274d7e4c0afbf35b9a3457f09ee76%40%3Cusers.tapestry.apache.org%3EMailing List, Vendor Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210115-0007/Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/12/02/1Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r700a6aa234dbff0555d4187bdc8274d7e4c0afbf35b9a3457f09ee76%40%3Cusers.tapestry.apache.org%3EMailing List, Vendor Advisory
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r700a6aa234dbff0555d4187bdc8274d7e4c0afbf35b9a3457f09ee76%40%3Cusers.tapestry.apache.org%3EMailing List, Vendor Advisory
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r700a6aa234dbff0555d4187bdc8274d7e4c0afbf35b9a3457f09ee76%40%3Cusers.tapestry.apache.org%3EMailing List, Vendor Advisory
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r700a6aa234dbff0555d4187bdc8274d7e4c0afbf35b9a3457f09ee76%40%3Cusers.tapestry.apache.org%3EMailing List, Vendor Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210115-0007/Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Dec 8, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-17531?

How severe is CVE-2020-17531?

CVE-2020-17531 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 9.73% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-17531?

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-2020-17531?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST