Remote code execution via unchecked screenshot filename
Published Aug 16, 2023 · Updated Jul 9, 2026
Path traversal in Even Balance PunkBuster Server 1.902 through 1.904 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via screenshot uploads. The screenshot receive handler applies traversal checks only to client-supplied filenames ending in .png, then concatenates other filenames into the svss path without validation. Any remote game client can send an unsolicited screenshot response that writes attacker-controlled data to writable filesystem locations, enabling code execution by replacing a loaded executable or module.
Summary
What happened
Path traversal in Even Balance PunkBuster Server 1.902 through 1.904 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via screenshot uploads. The screenshot receive handler applies traversal checks only to client-supplied filenames ending in .png, then concatenates other filenames into the svss path without validation. Any remote game client can send an unsolicited screenshot response that writes attacker-controlled data to writable filesystem locations, enabling code execution by replacing a loaded executable or module.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2020-26037
- Published
- Aug 16, 2023
- Updated
- Jul 9, 2026
- Vendor
- Unknown vendor
- Product
- Unknown product
- Classifications
- CWE-22, T1190
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 16, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jul 9, 2026Record 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
- PunkBuster screenshot filename traversal proof of conceptproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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