CVE-2020-7580

SYSTEM code execution via unquoted helper path

Published Jun 10, 2020 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Unquoted search paths in Siemens Windows-based industrial software allow local users to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges. A shared component repeatedly invokes a helper binary as SYSTEM without quoting its full path, allowing an earlier executable in the parsed path to run instead. Exploitation requires local access and permission to place an executable in a searched parent location; successful execution grants SYSTEM control.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability0.46%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
Coverage for this vulnerability

See if you're affected

Explore vulnerability checks for your environment with Hinoki.

Book a demo

Summary

What happened

Unquoted search paths in Siemens Windows-based industrial software allow local users to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges. A shared component repeatedly invokes a helper binary as SYSTEM without quoting its full path, allowing an earlier executable in the parsed path to run instead. Exploitation requires local access and permission to place an executable in a searched parent location; successful execution grants SYSTEM control.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-7580
Published
Jun 10, 2020
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Siemens
Product
SINEC NMS
Classifications
CWE-428, T1574.009
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 10, 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

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

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

  1. Affected versionversion=All versions < V1.0 SP2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Siemens · SINEC NMSversion=All versions < V1.0 SP2
Siemens · SINUMERIK Operateversion=All Versions < V6.14
Siemens · SINUMERIK ONE virtualversion=All Versions < V6.14
Siemens · SIMATIC WinCC Runtime Advancedversion=All versions < V16 Update 2
Siemens · SIMATIC ProSaveversion=All versions < V17
Siemens · SIMATIC STEP 7version=All versions < V5.6 SP2 HF3
Siemens · SIMATIC WinCC OAversion=All versions < V3.16 P018; version=All versions < V3.17 P003
Siemens · SIMATIC WinCCversion=All versions < V7.4 SP1 Update 14; version=All versions < V7.5 SP1 Update 3
Siemens · SIMATIC STEP 7 (TIA Portal)version=All versions < V13 SP2 Update 4; version=All versions < V14 SP1 Update 10; version=All versions < V15.1 Update 5; version=All versions < V16 Update 2
Siemens · SIMATIC S7-1500 Software Controllerversion=All versions < V21.8
Siemens · SINAMICS STARTERversion=All Versions < V5.4 HF2
Siemens · SIMATIC Automation Toolversion=All versions < V4 SP2
Siemens · SIMATIC WinCC Runtime Professionalversion=All versions < V13 SP2 Update 4; version=All versions < V14 SP1 Update 10; version=All versions < V15.1 Update 5; version=All versions < V16 Update 2
Siemens · SINEMA Serverversion=All versions < V14 SP3
Siemens · SINAMICS Startdriveversion=All Versions < V16 Update 3
Siemens · SIMATIC PCS neoversion=All versions < V3.0 SP1
Siemens · SIMATIC NET PC Softwareversion=All versions; version=All versions < V14 SP1 Update 14; version=All versions < V16 Upd3

Published CVSS scores

6.7NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.8Siemens ProductCERTCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.2NIST NVDAV:L/AC:L/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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-428Unquoted Search Path or Element
T1574.009Path Interception by Unquoted Path

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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

Technologies

Your stack

See the directory against your own environment.

Your stack

Check the software in your environment

Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.

Book a demo