CVE-2020-6754Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Remote code execution via unnormalized asset paths

Published Feb 5, 2020 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Path traversal in dotCMS before 5.2.4 allows remote attackers to upload and execute JSP files without authentication. The asset request check evaluates the URI prefix before resolving dot segments, so a path containing ../ bypasses the protected-directory boundary and reaches assets/tmp_upload. Unauthenticated network access is sufficient; code runs with the privileges of the account that operates the dotCMS application.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability94.80%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Path traversal in dotCMS before 5.2.4 allows remote attackers to upload and execute JSP files without authentication. The asset request check evaluates the URI prefix before resolving dot segments, so a path containing ../ bypasses the protected-directory boundary and reaches assets/tmp_upload. Unauthenticated network access is sufficient; code runs with the privileges of the account that operates the dotCMS application.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-6754
Published
Feb 5, 2020
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-434, CWE-22, T1505.003, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 5, 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?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

9.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.5NIST NVDAV: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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-434Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type
CWE-22Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
T1505.003Server Software Component: Web Shell
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

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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