Authenticated code execution via unescaped validation template
Published Apr 1, 2020 · Updated Oct 21, 2025
Java EL injection in Sonatype Nexus Repository 3.x through 3.21.1 allows remote authenticated users to execute code on the server. ConstraintViolationFactory passes attacker-controlled repository names to buildConstraintViolationWithTemplate without applying stripJavaEL, causing EL evaluation. Any account can reach the sink while creating or updating a Go group repository because bean validation precedes authorization, and injected code runs with Nexus process privileges.
Summary
What happened
Java EL injection in Sonatype Nexus Repository 3.x through 3.21.1 allows remote authenticated users to execute code on the server. ConstraintViolationFactory passes attacker-controlled repository names to buildConstraintViolationWithTemplate without applying stripJavaEL, causing EL evaluation. Any account can reach the sink while creating or updating a Go group repository because bean validation precedes authorization, and injected code runs with Nexus process privileges.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2020-10199
- Published
- Apr 1, 2020
- Updated
- Oct 21, 2025
- Vendor
- Unknown vendor
- Product
- Unknown product
- Classifications
- CWE-917, T1059
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Apr 1, 2020CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Oct 21, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- Nexus Repository Manager Java EL Injection RCE Metasploit moduleweaponized · validated
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Reported exploitation
- CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog listingknown exploited catalog
Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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