CVE-2020-1946

Name: CVE-2020-1946
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2021-03-25T10:15:11.727+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10EPSS 6.13%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-1946 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. In Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.5, malicious rule configuration (.cf) files can be configured to run system commands without any output or errors. With this, exploits can be injected in a number of scenarios. EPSS estimates a 6.13% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

In Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.5, malicious rule configuration (.cf) files can be configured to run system commands without any output or errors. With this, exploits can be injected in a number of scenarios. In addition to upgrading to SA version 3.4.5, users should only use update channels or 3rd party .cf files from trusted places.

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

6.13%

92.5th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Apache	Spamassassin	< 3.4.5
Debian	Debian Linux	9.0
Debian	Debian Linux	10.0
Fedoraproject	Fedora	32
Fedoraproject	Fedora	33
Fedoraproject	Fedora	34

References

https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/04/msg00000.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/7V2SBVTKVLFFT36ECJQ7TQ7KAQCQZDRZ/
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/JFBFRIG5TX23NF4ND6OAKKY7I6TLRCCP/
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/NKAXYBKBMQOLIW6UKASJCAZRBOIYS4RL/
https://s.apache.org/3r1whMailing List, Vendor Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202105-26Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4879Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/04/msg00000.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/7V2SBVTKVLFFT36ECJQ7TQ7KAQCQZDRZ/
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/JFBFRIG5TX23NF4ND6OAKKY7I6TLRCCP/
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/NKAXYBKBMQOLIW6UKASJCAZRBOIYS4RL/
https://s.apache.org/3r1whMailing List, Vendor Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202105-26Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4879Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Mar 25, 2021
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-1946?

How severe is CVE-2020-1946?

CVE-2020-1946 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 6.13% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-1946?

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-2020-1946?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST