CVE-2020-29599

Name: CVE-2020-29599
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-12-07T20:15:12.773+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 7.03%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-29599 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. ImageMagick before 6.9.11-40 and 7.x before 7.0.10-40 mishandles the -authenticate option, which allows setting a password for password-protected PDF files. The user-controlled password was not properly escaped/sanitized and it was therefore possible to inject additional shell commands via coders/pdf.c.. EPSS estimates a 7.03% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

ImageMagick before 6.9.11-40 and 7.x before 7.0.10-40 mishandles the -authenticate option, which allows setting a password for password-protected PDF files. The user-controlled password was not properly escaped/sanitized and it was therefore possible to inject additional shell commands via coders/pdf.c.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

7.03%

93.4th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-91

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Imagemagick	Imagemagick	>= 6.9.8-1, < 6.9.11-40
Imagemagick	Imagemagick	>= 7.0.5-3, < 7.0.10-40
Debian	Debian Linux	9.0

References

https://github.com/ImageMagick/ImageMagick/discussions/2851Exploit, Third Party Advisory
https://insert-script.blogspot.com/2020/11/imagemagick-shell-injection-via-pdf.htmlThird Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/01/msg00010.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/03/msg00008.html
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202101-36Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/ImageMagick/ImageMagick/discussions/2851Exploit, Third Party Advisory
https://insert-script.blogspot.com/2020/11/imagemagick-shell-injection-via-pdf.htmlThird Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/01/msg00010.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/03/msg00008.html
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202101-36Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Dec 7, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-29599?

How severe is CVE-2020-29599?

CVE-2020-29599 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 7.03% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-29599?

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-2020-29599?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST