CVE-2020-5242Network attack vector

Remote command execution via unrestricted EXEC configuration

Published Feb 20, 2020 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Command injection in openHAB Add-ons before 2.5.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands through REST-installed EXEC services. ExecHandler and ExecTransformationService executed configured command strings without checking a local command allowlist. Exploitation requires REST API reachability and a binding action or transformation invocation; commands run as the openHAB process account.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability1.97%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Command injection in openHAB Add-ons before 2.5.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands through REST-installed EXEC services. ExecHandler and ExecTransformationService executed configured command strings without checking a local command allowlist. Exploitation requires REST API reachability and a binding action or transformation invocation; commands run as the openHAB process account.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-5242
Published
Feb 20, 2020
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
openHAB
Product
openHAB Add-ons
Classifications
CWE-863, CWE-284, T1059
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 20, 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

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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=< 2.5.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

openHAB · openHAB Add-onsversion=< 2.5.2

Published CVSS scores

8.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.3NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

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-863Incorrect Authorization
CWE-284Improper Access Control
T1059Command and Scripting Interpreter

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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