CVE-2020-7458

Name: CVE-2020-7458
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-07-09T14:15:10.98+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10EPSS 1.92%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-7458 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. In FreeBSD 12.1-STABLE before r362281, 11.4-STABLE before r362281, and 11.4-RELEASE before p1, long values in the user-controlled PATH environment variable cause posix_spawnp to write beyond the end of the heap allocated stack possibly leading to arbitrary code execution.. EPSS estimates a 1.92% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

In FreeBSD 12.1-STABLE before r362281, 11.4-STABLE before r362281, and 11.4-RELEASE before p1, long values in the user-controlled PATH environment variable cause posix_spawnp to write beyond the end of the heap allocated stack possibly leading to arbitrary code execution.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

1.92%

77.3th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-787

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Freebsd	Freebsd	11.4
Freebsd	Freebsd	12.1

References

https://security.FreeBSD.org/advisories/FreeBSD-SA-20:18.posix_spawnp.ascPatch, Vendor Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20200724-0002/Third Party Advisory
https://security.FreeBSD.org/advisories/FreeBSD-SA-20:18.posix_spawnp.ascPatch, Vendor Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20200724-0002/Third Party Advisory

Timeline

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-7458?

How severe is CVE-2020-7458?

CVE-2020-7458 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 1.92% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-7458?

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-2020-7458?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST