CVE-2020-5205

Name: CVE-2020-5205
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-01-09T02:15:13.34+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 5.4/10EPSS 0.77%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-5205 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 5.4/10 on the CVSS scale. In Pow (Hex package) before 1.0.16, the use of Plug.Session in Pow.Plug.Session is susceptible to session fixation attacks if a persistent session store is used for Plug.Session, such as Redis or a database. Cookie store, which is used in most Phoenix apps, doesn't have this vulnerability.. EPSS estimates a 0.77% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

In Pow (Hex package) before 1.0.16, the use of Plug.Session in Pow.Plug.Session is susceptible to session fixation attacks if a persistent session store is used for Plug.Session, such as Redis or a database. Cookie store, which is used in most Phoenix apps, doesn't have this vulnerability.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

5.4/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.77%

50.9th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Powauth	Pow	< 1.0.16

References

https://github.com/danschultzer/pow/blob/master/CHANGELOG.md#v1016-2020-01-07Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/danschultzer/pow/commit/578ffd3d8bb8e8a26077b644222186b108da474fPatch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/danschultzer/pow/security/advisories/GHSA-v2wf-c3j6-wpvwThird Party Advisory
https://github.com/danschultzer/pow/blob/master/CHANGELOG.md#v1016-2020-01-07Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/danschultzer/pow/commit/578ffd3d8bb8e8a26077b644222186b108da474fPatch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/danschultzer/pow/security/advisories/GHSA-v2wf-c3j6-wpvwThird Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Jan 9, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-5205?

How severe is CVE-2020-5205?

CVE-2020-5205 has a CVSS score of 5.4/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.77% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-5205?

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-2020-5205?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST