MEDIUM
CVE-2018-20685
CWE-863Published: January 10, 2019· Updated: Jun 17, 2026
5.3
CVSS v3.1
Official Description
In OpenSSH 7.9, scp.c in the scp client allows remote SSH servers to bypass intended access restrictions via the filename of . or an empty filename. The impact is modifying the permissions of the target directory on the client side.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2018-20685 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.
Exploitation does not require any privileges, though user interaction (Required) is needed, which slightly reduces the risk of mass automated attacks.
A successful exploit results in full integrity compromise (data manipulation), with a CVSS base score of 5.3.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityHigh
Privileges Req.None
User InteractionRequired
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityNone
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityNone
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
Affected Vendors & Products
Canonical1 product(s)
ubuntu linux
Debian1 product(s)
debian linux
fujitsu12 product(s)
m10-1 firmwarem10-1m10-4 firmwarem10-4m10-4s firmwarem10-4sm12-1 firmwarem12-1m12-2 firmwarem12-2m12-2s firmwarem12-2s
netapp5 product(s)
cloud backupelement softwareontap select deploysteelstore cloud integrated storagestorage automation store
openbsd1 product(s)
openssh
Oracle1 product(s)
solaris
Red Hat4 product(s)
enterprise linuxenterprise linux eusenterprise linux server ausenterprise linux server tus
siemens4 product(s)
scalance x204rna firmwarescalance x204rnascalance x204rna eec firmwarescalance x204rna eec
winscp1 product(s)
winscp
Source: NVD CPE · 42 total CPE entries
Exploit & PoC Resources
NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.
Official Patches & Advisories
ADVISORYhttps://usn.ubuntu.com/3885-1/
ADVISORYhttps://usn.ubuntu.com/3885-1/
All References (28)
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/106531Broken Link
→
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:3702Third Party Advisory
→
https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-412672.pdfPatch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/03/msg00030.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201903-16Third Party Advisory
→
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202007-53Third Party Advisory
→
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20190215-0001/Third Party Advisory
→
https://sintonen.fi/advisories/scp-client-multiple-vulnerabilities.txtPatch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3885-1/Third Party Advisory
→
https://www.debian.org/security/2019/dsa-4387Third Party Advisory
→
https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuapr2019-5072813.htmlPatch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuoct2019-5072832.htmlPatch · Third Party Advisory
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/106531Broken Link
Quick Facts
CVE IDCVE-2018-20685
CVSS Score5.3 / 10
SeverityMEDIUM
WeaknessCWE-863
CISA KEVNo
Affected9 vendor(s)
PublishedJan 10, 2019
Related CVEs (CWE-863)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2018-20685 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWATCH.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.