CVE-2020-7221

Name: CVE-2020-7221
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-02-04T17:15:13.233+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 0.67%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-7221 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. mysql_install_db in MariaDB 10.4.7 through 10.4.11 allows privilege escalation from the mysql user account to root because chown and chmod are performed unsafely, as demonstrated by a symlink attack on a chmod 04755 of auth_pam_tool_dir/auth_pam_tool. NOTE: this does not affect the Oracle MySQL product, which implements mysql_install_db differently.. EPSS estimates a 0.67% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

mysql_install_db in MariaDB 10.4.7 through 10.4.11 allows privilege escalation from the mysql user account to root because chown and chmod are performed unsafely, as demonstrated by a symlink attack on a chmod 04755 of auth_pam_tool_dir/auth_pam_tool. NOTE: this does not affect the Oracle MySQL product, which implements mysql_install_db differently.

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

0.67%

47.3th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-59

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Mariadb	Mariadb	>= 10.4.7, <= 10.4.11

References

https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1160868Exploit, Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/MariaDB/server/commit/9d18b6246755472c8324bf3e20e234e08ac45618Third Party Advisory
https://seclists.org/oss-sec/2020/q1/55Exploit, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1160868Exploit, Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/MariaDB/server/commit/9d18b6246755472c8324bf3e20e234e08ac45618Third Party Advisory
https://seclists.org/oss-sec/2020/q1/55Exploit, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Feb 4, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-7221?

How severe is CVE-2020-7221?

CVE-2020-7221 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.67% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-7221?

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-2020-7221?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST