CVE-2020-28840Public exploit

Code execution via JPEG comment buffer over-read

Published Aug 11, 2023 · Updated Oct 9, 2024

Heap-buffer overflow in jhead 3.04 allows local users to execute arbitrary code or crash the process with a crafted JPEG comment. The process_COM function in jpgfile.c reads Data[a+1] after a carriage return without first ensuring that another byte remains in the allocated JPEG comment buffer. A local user must cause jhead to parse the crafted file; the demonstrated out-of-bounds read aborts the process, while the CVE record also reports code execution.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.36%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Heap-buffer overflow in jhead 3.04 allows local users to execute arbitrary code or crash the process with a crafted JPEG comment. The process_COM function in jpgfile.c reads Data[a+1] after a carriage return without first ensuring that another byte remains in the allocated JPEG comment buffer. A local user must cause jhead to parse the crafted file; the demonstrated out-of-bounds read aborts the process, while the CVE record also reports code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-28840
Published
Aug 11, 2023
Updated
Oct 9, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-120, T1203
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 11, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 9, 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?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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.

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No observations available

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

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-120Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution

Public exploit references

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

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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