HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2020-13388
CRITICAL

CVE-2020-13388

CWE-78Published: May 22, 2020· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

9.8
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

An exploitable vulnerability exists in the configuration-loading functionality of the jw.util package before 2.3 for Python. When loading a configuration with FromString or FromStream with YAML, one can execute arbitrary Python code, resulting in OS command execution, because safe_load is not used.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2020-13388 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

The vulnerability requires no privileges and no user interaction, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns and worm-like propagation.

A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 9.8.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.None
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected Vendors & Products

Python1 product(s)
jw.util
Source: NVD CPE · 1 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://joel-malwarebenchmark.github.io
ADVISORYhttps://joel-malwarebenchmark.github.io/blog/2020/04/27/cve-2020-13388-jw-util-vulnerability/
ADVISORYhttps://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20200528-0002/
ADVISORYhttps://joel-malwarebenchmark.github.io
ADVISORYhttps://joel-malwarebenchmark.github.io/blog/2020/04/27/cve-2020-13388-jw-util-vulnerability/
ADVISORYhttps://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20200528-0002/

All References (6)

→
https://joel-malwarebenchmark.github.ioExploit · Third Party Advisory
→
https://joel-malwarebenchmark.github.io/blog/2020/04/27/cve-2020-13388-jw-util-vulnerability/Exploit · Third Party Advisory
→
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20200528-0002/Third Party Advisory
→
https://joel-malwarebenchmark.github.ioExploit · Third Party Advisory
→
https://joel-malwarebenchmark.github.io/blog/2020/04/27/cve-2020-13388-jw-util-vulnerability/Exploit · Third Party Advisory
→
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20200528-0002/Third Party Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2020-13388
CVSS Score9.8 / 10
SeverityCRITICAL
WeaknessCWE-78
CISA KEVNo
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedMay 22, 2020

Related CVEs (CWE-78)

CVE-2016-10043
10.0
CVE-2017-14459
10.0
CVE-2025-64127
10.0
CVE-2018-25118
10.0
CVE-2019-4202
10.0
CVE-2014-1982
10.0

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2020-13388 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. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.
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