CVE-2020-37040Public exploit

Local code execution via Unicode filename overflow

Published Jan 30, 2026 · Updated Jan 30, 2026

Buffer overflow in Code::Blocks 17.12 allows local users to execute arbitrary code by entering a crafted Unicode file name. The project wizard's full-path filename field accepts an oversized Unicode payload that overwrites SEH and redirects execution through codeblocks.exe. The published code-execution demonstration requires interactive Windows GUI access and disabled DEP, then launches an arbitrary command.

CVSS severity8.4
High
EPSS probability0.19%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Buffer overflow in Code::Blocks 17.12 allows local users to execute arbitrary code by entering a crafted Unicode file name. The project wizard's full-path filename field accepts an oversized Unicode payload that overwrites SEH and redirects execution through codeblocks.exe. The published code-execution demonstration requires interactive Windows GUI access and disabled DEP, then launches an arbitrary command.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-37040
Published
Jan 30, 2026
Updated
Jan 30, 2026
Vendor
Code::Blocks
Product
Code::Blocks
Classifications
CWE-120, T1203
Attack vector
local
Privileges
Unavailable

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 30, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Jan 30, 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?

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

  1. Affected versionversion=17.12

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesUnavailable in this record.

What is affected?

Code::Blocks · Code::Blocksversion=17.12

Published CVSS scores

8.4VulnCheckCVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
8.4VulnCheckCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/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
PrivilegesUnavailable
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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