HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2020-26238
HIGH

CVE-2020-26238

CWE-74Published: November 25, 2020· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

8.1
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

Cron-utils is a Java library to parse, validate, migrate crons as well as get human readable descriptions for them. In cron-utils before version 9.1.3, a template Injection vulnerability is present. This enables attackers to inject arbitrary Java EL expressions, leading to unauthenticated Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability. Only projects using the @Cron annotation to validate untrusted Cron expressions are affected. This issue was patched in version 9.1.3.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2020-26238 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 8.1.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

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

Affected Vendors & Products

cron-utils_project1 product(s)
cron-utils
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

PATCHhttps://github.com/jmrozanec/cron-utils/commit/4cf373f7352f5d95f0bf6512af8af326b31c835e
PATCHhttps://github.com/jmrozanec/cron-utils/commit/4cf373f7352f5d95f0bf6512af8af326b31c835e
ADVISORYhttps://github.com/jmrozanec/cron-utils/issues/461
ADVISORYhttps://github.com/jmrozanec/cron-utils/security/advisories/GHSA-pfj3-56hm-jwq5
ADVISORYhttps://github.com/jmrozanec/cron-utils/issues/461
ADVISORYhttps://github.com/jmrozanec/cron-utils/security/advisories/GHSA-pfj3-56hm-jwq5

All References (26)

→
https://github.com/jmrozanec/cron-utils/commit/4cf373f7352f5d95f0bf6512af8af326b31c835ePatch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/jmrozanec/cron-utils/issues/461Exploit · Issue Tracking · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/jmrozanec/cron-utils/security/advisories/GHSA-pfj3-56hm-jwq5Exploit · Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r390bb7630b7ea8f02bf7adbbe69c0ae8b562c527d663c543d965f959%40%3Cgitbox.hive.apache.org%3E
→
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r432a69a1a85cbcb1f1bad2aa0fbfce0367bf894bf917f6ed7118e7f0%40%3Cissues.hive.apache.org%3E
→
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r50e1b5544c37e408ed7e9a958b28237b1cb9660ba2b3dba46f343e23%40%3Cissues.hive.apache.org%3E
→
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r5f601d15292e3302ad0ae0e89527029546945b1cd5837af7e838d354%40%3Cdev.hive.apache.org%3E
→
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r71083c759dc627f198571b3d48b6745fe798b1d53c34f7ef8de9e7dd%40%3Cissues.hive.apache.org%3E
→
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r737406bc17d49ffe8fe6a8828d390ee0a02e45e5a5b4f931180b9a93%40%3Cissues.hive.apache.org%3E
→
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r855aead591697dc2e85faf66c99036e49f492431940b78d4e6d895b5%40%3Cgitbox.hive.apache.org%3E
→
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r96937fc9c82f3201b59311c067e97bce71123944f93102169a95bf5c%40%3Cissues.hive.apache.org%3E
→
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r9ae9a9fb1c8e2bf95c676e7e4cd06aa04f0a3a8a9ec1a6b787afb00f%40%3Cissues.hive.apache.org%3E
→
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/ra9e81244d323898dde3c979dd7df6996e4037d14a01b6629ea443548%40%3Cissues.hive.apache.org%3E
→
https://github.com/jmrozanec/cron-utils/commit/4cf373f7352f5d95f0bf6512af8af326b31c835ePatch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/jmrozanec/cron-utils/issues/461Exploit · Issue Tracking · Third Party Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2020-26238
CVSS Score8.1 / 10
SeverityHIGH
WeaknessCWE-74
CISA KEVNo
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedNov 25, 2020

Related CVEs (CWE-74)

CVE-2014-8423
10.0
CVE-2023-30547
10.0
CVE-2025-20265
10.0
CVE-2026-44182
10.0
CVE-2026-54159
10.0
CVE-2026-25586
10.0

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2020-26238 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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