CVE-2020-28468Network attack vector

Remote code execution via shellcraft template injection

Published Jan 8, 2021 · Updated Sep 16, 2024

Server-Side Template Injection in Gallopsled pwntools before 4.3.1 allows remote attackers to execute code via the shellcraft generator. Shellcraft inserted attacker-controlled values into Mako templates and assembly comments using unsanitized representations, allowing template directives to alter generated output and execute code. Exploitation requires a service or application that passes attacker-influenced data to shellcraft; standalone local use does not create remote reachability.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability4.20%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Server-Side Template Injection in Gallopsled pwntools before 4.3.1 allows remote attackers to execute code via the shellcraft generator. Shellcraft inserted attacker-controlled values into Mako templates and assembly comments using unsanitized representations, allowing template directives to alter generated output and execute code. Exploitation requires a service or application that passes attacker-influenced data to shellcraft; standalone local use does not create remote reachability.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-28468
Published
Jan 8, 2021
Updated
Sep 16, 2024
Vendor
Gallopsled
Product
pwntools
Classifications
CWE-74
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 8, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 16, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=unspecified <4.3.1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Gallopsled · pwntoolsversion=unspecified <4.3.1

Published CVSS scores

9.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.1SnykCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.5NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

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 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-74Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component (Injection)

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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