CVE-2020-8445Network attack vector

Log injection via unescaped control characters

Published Jan 30, 2020 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Improper input validation in OSSEC-HIDS 2.7 through 3.5.0 allows remote attackers to inject or obscure logged events. OS_CleanMSG in ossec-analysisd logs message text without removing or encoding embedded newlines and terminal control characters, permitting nested records and display manipulation. Exploitation depends on attacker-controlled data reaching analysisd; command execution additionally requires viewing the log in a vulnerable terminal emulator.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability2.28%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper input validation in OSSEC-HIDS 2.7 through 3.5.0 allows remote attackers to inject or obscure logged events. OS_CleanMSG in ossec-analysisd logs message text without removing or encoding embedded newlines and terminal control characters, permitting nested records and display manipulation. Exploitation depends on attacker-controlled data reaching analysisd; command execution additionally requires viewing the log in a vulnerable terminal emulator.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-8445
Published
Jan 30, 2020
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-20, T1562.006
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 30, 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

10.0NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
9.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/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.

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-20Improper Input Validation
T1562.006Indicator Blocking

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

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Your stack

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