CVE-2020-12062Network attack vector

File overwrite via desynchronized scp response handling

Published Jun 1, 2020 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Improper input validation in OpenSSH 8.2 scp allows remote attackers to overwrite files in a chosen download directory via a malicious server. The sink() receive path sends a second protocol response when utimes() fails, desynchronizing the client so file contents are parsed as metadata. Exploitation requires an scp -rp transfer of a crafted hierarchy and an abnormal utimes failure; writes remain inside the selected target and visible errors occur.

CVSS severity7.5
High
EPSS probability2.18%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
Coverage for this vulnerability

See if you're affected

Explore vulnerability checks for your environment with Hinoki.

Book a demo

Summary

What happened

Improper input validation in OpenSSH 8.2 scp allows remote attackers to overwrite files in a chosen download directory via a malicious server. The sink() receive path sends a second protocol response when utimes() fails, desynchronizing the client so file contents are parsed as metadata. Exploitation requires an scp -rp transfer of a crafted hierarchy and an abnormal utimes failure; writes remain inside the selected target and visible errors occur.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-12062
Published
Jun 1, 2020
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-20
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 1, 2020CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

7.5NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
5.0NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N

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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-20Improper Input Validation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

See the directory against your own environment.

Your stack

Check the software in your environment

Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.

Book a demo