CVE-2020-28012

Name: CVE-2020-28012
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2021-05-06T13:15:09.403+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 0.40%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-28012 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. Exim 4 before 4.94.2 allows Exposure of File Descriptor to Unintended Control Sphere because rda_interpret uses a privileged pipe that lacks a close-on-exec flag.. EPSS estimates a 0.40% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Exim 4 before 4.94.2 allows Exposure of File Descriptor to Unintended Control Sphere because rda_interpret uses a privileged pipe that lacks a close-on-exec flag.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.40%

31.7th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Exim	Exim	>= 4.00, < 4.94.2

References

https://www.exim.org/static/doc/security/CVE-2020-qualys/CVE-2020-28012-CLOSE.txtVendor Advisory
https://www.exim.org/static/doc/security/CVE-2020-qualys/CVE-2020-28012-CLOSE.txtVendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: May 6, 2021
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-28012?

Exim 4 before 4.94.2 allows Exposure of File Descriptor to Unintended Control Sphere because rda_interpret uses a privileged pipe that lacks a close-on-exec flag.

How severe is CVE-2020-28012?

CVE-2020-28012 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.40% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-28012?

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-2020-28012?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST