CVE-2020-28975

Name: CVE-2020-28975
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-11-21T21:15:10.68+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.5/10EPSS 3.43%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-28975 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.5/10 on the CVSS scale. svm_predict_values in svm.cpp in Libsvm v324, as used in scikit-learn 0.23.2 and other products, allows attackers to cause a denial of service (segmentation fault) via a crafted model SVM (introduced via pickle, json, or any other model permanence standard) with a large value in the _n_support array. NOTE: the scikit-learn vendor's position is that the behavior can only occur if the library's API is violated by an application that changes a private attribute.. EPSS estimates a 3.43% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

svm_predict_values in svm.cpp in Libsvm v324, as used in scikit-learn 0.23.2 and other products, allows attackers to cause a denial of service (segmentation fault) via a crafted model SVM (introduced via pickle, json, or any other model permanence standard) with a large value in the _n_support array. NOTE: the scikit-learn vendor's position is that the behavior can only occur if the library's API is violated by an application that changes a private attribute.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.5/10

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

EPSS Probability

3.43%

87.4th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Scikit-Learn	Scikit-Learn	>= 0.23.2, < 1.0.1

References

http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/160281/SciKit-Learn-0.23.2-Denial-Of-Service.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Nov/44Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/cjlin1/libsvm/blob/9a3a9708926dec87d382c43b203f2ca19c2d56a0/svm.cpp#L2501Exploit, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/scikit-learn/scikit-learn/commit/1bf13d567d3cd74854aa8343fd25b61dd768bb85Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/scikit-learn/scikit-learn/issues/18891Exploit, Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202301-03Third Party Advisory
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/160281/SciKit-Learn-0.23.2-Denial-Of-Service.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Nov/44Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/cjlin1/libsvm/blob/9a3a9708926dec87d382c43b203f2ca19c2d56a0/svm.cpp#L2501Exploit, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/scikit-learn/scikit-learn/commit/1bf13d567d3cd74854aa8343fd25b61dd768bb85Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/scikit-learn/scikit-learn/issues/18891Exploit, Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202301-03Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Nov 21, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-28975?

How severe is CVE-2020-28975?

CVE-2020-28975 has a CVSS score of 7.5/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 3.43% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-28975?

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-2020-28975?

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

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Source: NVD / NIST