HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2020-28975
HIGH

CVE-2020-28975

NVD-CWE-noinfoPublished: November 21, 2020· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

7.5
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

svm_predict_values in svm.cpp in Libsvm v324, as used in scikit-learn 0.23.2 and other products, allows attackers to cause a denial of service (segmentation fault) via a crafted model SVM (introduced via pickle, json, or any other model permanence standard) with a large value in the _n_support array. NOTE: the scikit-learn vendor's position is that the behavior can only occur if the library's API is violated by an application that changes a private attribute.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2020-28975 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 availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 7.5.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

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

Affected Vendors & Products

scikit-learn1 product(s)
scikit-learn
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/scikit-learn/scikit-learn/commit/1bf13d567d3cd74854aa8343fd25b61dd768bb85
PATCHhttps://github.com/scikit-learn/scikit-learn/commit/1bf13d567d3cd74854aa8343fd25b61dd768bb85
ADVISORYhttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/160281/SciKit-Learn-0.23.2-Denial-Of-Service.html
ADVISORYhttp://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Nov/44
ADVISORYhttps://github.com/cjlin1/libsvm/blob/9a3a9708926dec87d382c43b203f2ca19c2d56a0/svm.cpp#L2501
ADVISORYhttps://github.com/scikit-learn/scikit-learn/issues/18891
ADVISORYhttps://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202301-03
ADVISORYhttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/160281/SciKit-Learn-0.23.2-Denial-Of-Service.html
ADVISORYhttp://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Nov/44
ADVISORYhttps://github.com/cjlin1/libsvm/blob/9a3a9708926dec87d382c43b203f2ca19c2d56a0/svm.cpp#L2501
ADVISORYhttps://github.com/scikit-learn/scikit-learn/issues/18891
ADVISORYhttps://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202301-03

All References (12)

→
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/160281/SciKit-Learn-0.23.2-Denial-Of-Service.htmlExploit · Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Nov/44Mailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/cjlin1/libsvm/blob/9a3a9708926dec87d382c43b203f2ca19c2d56a0/svm.cpp#L2501Exploit · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/scikit-learn/scikit-learn/commit/1bf13d567d3cd74854aa8343fd25b61dd768bb85Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/scikit-learn/scikit-learn/issues/18891Exploit · Issue Tracking · Third Party Advisory
→
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202301-03Third Party Advisory
→
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/160281/SciKit-Learn-0.23.2-Denial-Of-Service.htmlExploit · Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Nov/44Mailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/cjlin1/libsvm/blob/9a3a9708926dec87d382c43b203f2ca19c2d56a0/svm.cpp#L2501Exploit · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/scikit-learn/scikit-learn/commit/1bf13d567d3cd74854aa8343fd25b61dd768bb85Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/scikit-learn/scikit-learn/issues/18891Exploit · Issue Tracking · Third Party Advisory
→
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202301-03Third Party Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2020-28975
CVSS Score7.5 / 10
SeverityHIGH
WeaknessNVD-CWE-noinfo
CISA KEVNo
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedNov 21, 2020

Related CVEs (NVD-CWE-noinfo)

CVE-2017-3324
10.0
CVE-2015-6014
10.0
CVE-2016-4787
10.0
CVE-2015-6015
10.0
CVE-2015-6013
10.0
CVE-2017-14469
10.0

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2020-28975 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.
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