CVE-2020-8471

Local code execution via weak folder ACLs

Published Apr 29, 2020 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Weak file permissions in ABB Central Licensing System 5.1 and later allow local users to execute arbitrary code and gain privileges. Weak access-control lists let a low-privileged user modify files in folders containing executable code used by the licensing service. Exploitation requires login and physical access to an affected node; it can also block license handling and prevent engineering functions from starting.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.37%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Weak file permissions in ABB Central Licensing System 5.1 and later allow local users to execute arbitrary code and gain privileges. Weak access-control lists let a low-privileged user modify files in folders containing executable code used by the licensing service. Exploitation requires login and physical access to an affected node; it can also block license handling and prevent engineering functions from starting.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-8471
Published
Apr 29, 2020
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
ABB
Product
Composer CTK
Classifications
CWE-276, CWE-275, T1574.010
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 29, 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=6.1
  2. Affected versionversion=6.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

ABB · Composer CTKversion=6.1; version=6.2
ABB · ABB Ability System 800xAversion=5.1; version=6.0; version=6.1
ABB · OPC Data Linkversion=2.1; version=2.2
ABB · Symphony Plus S+ Operationsversion=3 <=3.2
ABB · Symphony Plus S+ Engineeringversion=1.1 <=2.2
ABB · OPC Server for Mod 300 (non-800xA)version=1.4
ABB · Harmony OPC Server Standaloneversion=6.0; version=6.1; version=7.0
ABB · Advant OCS Control Builder Aversion=1.3; version=1.4
ABB · Composer Harmonyversion=5.1; version=6.0; version=6.1
ABB · AdvaBuildversion=3.7 SP1; version=3.7 SP2
ABB · Advant OCS AC 100 OPS Serverversion=5.1; version=6.0; version=6.1
ABB · Compact HMIversion=5.1; version=6.0
ABB · Knowledge Managerversion=8.0; version=9.0; version=9.1
ABB · Composer Melodyversion=5.3; version=6 <=6.3
ABB · Manufacturing Operations Managementversion=1812; version=1909
ABB · Central Licensing Systemversion=5.1 <5*
ABB · Control Builder Safeversion=1.0; version=1.1; version=2.0

Published CVSS scores

7.8ABBCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
4.6NISTAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
7.8NISTCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/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 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-276Incorrect Default Permissions
CWE-275Permission Issues
T1574.010Services File Permissions Weakness

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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