HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2020-1946
CRITICAL

CVE-2020-1946

CWE-78Published: March 25, 2021· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

9.8
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

In Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.5, malicious rule configuration (.cf) files can be configured to run system commands without any output or errors. With this, exploits can be injected in a number of scenarios. In addition to upgrading to SA version 3.4.5, users should only use update channels or 3rd party .cf files from trusted places.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2020-1946 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

Apache1 product(s)
spamassassin
Debian1 product(s)
debian linux
Fedora1 product(s)
fedora
Source: NVD CPE · 6 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://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/04/msg00000.html
ADVISORYhttps://s.apache.org/3r1wh
ADVISORYhttps://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202105-26
ADVISORYhttps://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4879
ADVISORYhttps://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/04/msg00000.html
ADVISORYhttps://s.apache.org/3r1wh
ADVISORYhttps://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202105-26
ADVISORYhttps://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4879

All References (14)

→
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/04/msg00000.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/7V2SBVTKVLFFT36ECJQ7TQ7KAQCQZDRZ/
→
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/JFBFRIG5TX23NF4ND6OAKKY7I6TLRCCP/
→
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/NKAXYBKBMQOLIW6UKASJCAZRBOIYS4RL/
→
https://s.apache.org/3r1whMailing List · Vendor Advisory
→
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202105-26Third Party Advisory
→
https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4879Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/04/msg00000.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/7V2SBVTKVLFFT36ECJQ7TQ7KAQCQZDRZ/
→
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/JFBFRIG5TX23NF4ND6OAKKY7I6TLRCCP/
→
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/NKAXYBKBMQOLIW6UKASJCAZRBOIYS4RL/
→
https://s.apache.org/3r1whMailing List · Vendor Advisory
→
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202105-26Third Party Advisory
→
https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4879Third Party Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2020-1946
CVSS Score9.8 / 10
SeverityCRITICAL
WeaknessCWE-78
CISA KEVNo
Affected3 vendor(s)
PublishedMar 25, 2021

Related CVEs (CWE-78)

CVE-2014-0659
10.0
CVE-2013-6881
10.0
CVE-2013-4983
10.0
CVE-2014-3418
10.0
CVE-2012-2953
10.0
CVE-2009-1916
10.0

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2020-1946 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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