CVE-2020-1946
Apache SpamAssassin has an OS Command Injection vulnerability
In Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.5, malicious rule configuration (.cf) files can be configured to run system commands without any output or errors. With this, exploits can be injected in a number of scenarios. In addition to upgrading to SA version 3.4.5, users should only use update channels or 3rd party .cf files from trusted places.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- None
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
NVD Score used
9.8
In Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.5, malicious rule configuration (.cf) files can be configured to run system commands without any output or errors. With this, exploits can be injected in a number of scenarios. In addition to upgrading to SA version 3.4.5, users should only use update channels or 3rd party .cf files from trusted places.
- Record
CVE-2020-1946- CVSS 3.1
- 9.8 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - CVSS 2.0
- 10.0 High
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C - Weakness
- CWE-78
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
CVE List No score
Apache SpamAssassin has an OS Command Injection vulnerability
In Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.5, malicious rule configuration (.cf) files can be configured to run system commands without any output or errors. With this, exploits can be injected in a number of scenarios. In addition to upgrading to SA version 3.4.5, users should only use update channels or 3rd party .cf files from trusted places.
- Record
CVE-2020-1946- Weakness
- CWE-78
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2020-12752
0.0
In Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.5, malicious rule configuration (.cf) files can be configured to run system commands without any output or errors. With this, exploits can be injected in a number of scenarios. In addition to upgrading to SA version 3.4.5, users should only use update channels or 3rd party .cf files from trusted places.
- Record
EUVD-2020-12752- CVSS
- 0.0 None
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-qmmx-pr2m-q429
9.8
In Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.5, malicious rule configuration (.cf) files can be configured...
In Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.5, malicious rule configuration (.cf) files can be configured to run system commands without any output or errors. With this, exploits can be injected in a number of scenarios. In addition to upgrading to SA version 3.4.5, users should only use update channels or 3rd party .cf files from trusted places.
- Record
GHSA-qmmx-pr2m-q429- CVSS 3.1
- 9.8 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Weakness
- CWE-78
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVALPINE-CVE-2020-1946
9.8
In Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.5, malicious rule configuration (.cf) files can be configured to run system commands without any output or errors. With this, exploits can be injected in a number of scenarios. In addition to upgrading to SA version 3.4.5, users should only use update channels or 3rd party .cf files from trusted places.
- Record
ALPINE-CVE-2020-1946- CVSS 3.1
- 9.8 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
9.8
In Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.5, malicious rule configuration (.cf) files can be configured to run system commands without any output or errors. With this, exploits can be injected in a number of scenarios. In addition to upgrading to SA version 3.4.5, users should only use update channels or 3rd party .cf files from trusted places.
- Record
CVE-2020-1946- CVSS 3.1
- 9.8 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
Show 13 moreShow less
OSVDEBIAN-CVE-2020-1946
9.8
In Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.5, malicious rule configuration (.cf) files can be configured to run system commands without any output or errors. With this, exploits can be injected in a number of scenarios. In addition to upgrading to SA version 3.4.5, users should only use update channels or 3rd party .cf files from trusted places.
- Record
DEBIAN-CVE-2020-1946- CVSS 3.1
- 9.8 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVRHSA-2021:4315
7.8
Red Hat Security Advisory: spamassassin security update
- Record
RHSA-2021:4315- CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVRLSA-2021:4315
7.8
Moderate: spamassassin security update
The SpamAssassin tool provides a way to reduce unsolicited commercial email (spam) from incoming email.
Security Fix(es):
- spamassassin: Malicious rule configuration files can be configured to run system commands (CVE-2020-1946)
For more details about the security issue(s), including the impact, a CVSS score, acknowledgments, and other related information, refer to the CVE page(s) listed in the References section.
Additional Changes:
For detailed information on changes in this release, see the Rocky Linux 8.5 Release Notes linked from the References section.
- Record
RLSA-2021:4315- CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVUBUNTU-CVE-2020-1946
9.8
In Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.5, malicious rule configuration (.cf) files can be configured to run system commands without any output or errors. With this, exploits can be injected in a number of scenarios. In addition to upgrading to SA version 3.4.5, users should only use update channels or 3rd party .cf files from trusted places.
- Record
UBUNTU-CVE-2020-1946- CVSS 3.1
- 9.8 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVALSA-2021:4315 No score
Moderate: spamassassin security update
The SpamAssassin tool provides a way to reduce unsolicited commercial email (spam) from incoming email.
Security Fix(es):
- spamassassin: Malicious rule configuration files can be configured to run system commands (CVE-2020-1946)
For more details about the security issue(s), including the impact, a CVSS score, acknowledgments, and other related information, refer to the CVE page(s) listed in the References section.
Additional Changes:
For detailed information on changes in this release, see the AlmaLinux Release Notes linked from the References section.
- Record
ALSA-2021:4315- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVMGASA-2021-0182 No score
Updated spamassassin packages fix security vulnerability
In Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.5, malicious rule configuration (.cf) files can be configured to run system commands without any output or errors. With this, exploits can be injected in a number of scenarios. In addition to upgrading to SA version 3.4.5, users should only use update channels or 3rd party .cf files from trusted places. (CVE-2020-1946)
- Record
MGASA-2021-0182- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVopenSUSE-SU-2021:0551-1 No score
Security update for spamassassin
This update for spamassassin fixes the following issues:
- CVE-2019-12420: memory leak via crafted messages (bsc#1159133)
- CVE-2020-1946: security update (bsc#1184221)
This update was imported from the SUSE:SLE-15-SP1:Update update project.
- Record
openSUSE-SU-2021:0551-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVopenSUSE-SU-2024:11395-1 No score
perl-Mail-SpamAssassin-3.4.6-71.3 on GA media
These are all security issues fixed in the perl-Mail-SpamAssassin-3.4.6-71.3 package on the GA media of openSUSE Tumbleweed.
- Record
openSUSE-SU-2024:11395-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVSUSE-SU-2021:1152-1 No score
Security update for spamassassin
This update for spamassassin fixes the following issues:
- spamassassin was updated to version 3.4.5
- CVE-2019-12420: memory leak via crafted messages (bsc#1159133)
- CVE-2020-1946: security update (bsc#1184221)
- Record
SUSE-SU-2021:1152-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVSUSE-SU-2021:1153-1 No score
Security update for spamassassin
This update for spamassassin fixes the following issues:
- CVE-2019-12420: memory leak via crafted messages (bsc#1159133)
- CVE-2020-1946: security update (bsc#1184221)
- Record
SUSE-SU-2021:1153-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVSUSE-SU-2021:1163-1 No score
Security update for spamassassin
This update for spamassassin fixes the following issues:
- CVE-2019-12420: memory leak via crafted messages (bsc#1159133)
- CVE-2020-1946: security update (bsc#1184221)
- Record
SUSE-SU-2021:1163-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVUSN-4899-1 No score
spamassassin vulnerability
Damian Lukowski discovered that SpamAssassin incorrectly handled certain CF files. If a user or automated system were tricked into using a specially- crafted CF file, a remote attacker could possibly run arbitrary code.
- Record
USN-4899-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVUSN-4899-2 No score
spamassassin vulnerability
USN-4899-1 fixed a vulnerability in SpamAssassin. This update provides the corresponding update for Ubuntu 14.04 ESM.
Original advisory details:
Damian Lukowski discovered that SpamAssassin incorrectly handled certain CF files. If a user or automated system were tricked into using a specially- crafted CF file, a remote attacker could possibly run arbitrary code.
- Record
USN-4899-2- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
spamassassinAlpine:v3.10 |
before 3.4.5-r0 | 3.4.5-r0 |
spamassassinAlpine:v3.11 |
before 3.4.5-r0 | 3.4.5-r0 |
spamassassinAlpine:v3.12 |
before 3.4.5-r0 | 3.4.5-r0 |
spamassassinAlpine:v3.13 |
before 3.4.5-r0 | 3.4.5-r0 |
spamassassinAlpine:v3.14 |
before 3.4.5-r0 | 3.4.5-r0 |
spamassassinAlpine:v3.15 |
before 3.4.5-r0 | 3.4.5-r0 |
spamassassinAlpine:v3.16 |
before 3.4.5-r0 | 3.4.5-r0 |
spamassassinAlpine:v3.17 |
before 3.4.5-r0 | 3.4.5-r0 |
spamassassinAlpine:v3.18 |
before 3.4.5-r0 | 3.4.5-r0 |
spamassassinAlpine:v3.19 |
before 3.4.5-r0 | 3.4.5-r0 |
Show 53 moreShow less
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
spamassassinAlpine:v3.20 |
before 3.4.5-r0 | 3.4.5-r0 |
spamassassinAlpine:v3.21 |
before 3.4.5-r0 | 3.4.5-r0 |
spamassassinAlpine:v3.22 |
before 3.4.5-r0 | 3.4.5-r0 |
spamassassinAlpine:v3.23 |
before 3.4.5-r0 | 3.4.5-r0 |
spamassassinAlpine:v3.24 |
before 3.4.5-r0 | 3.4.5-r0 |
spamassassinAlmaLinux:8 |
before 3.4.4-4.el8 | 3.4.4-4.el8 |
spamassassinDebian:12 |
before 3.4.5~pre1-1 | 3.4.5~pre1-1 |
spamassassinDebian:13 |
before 3.4.5~pre1-1 | 3.4.5~pre1-1 |
spamassassinDebian:14 |
before 3.4.5~pre1-1 | 3.4.5~pre1-1 |
spamassassinDebian:9 |
before 3.4.2-1~deb9u4, plus listed versions 3.4.1-63.4.1-6+deb9u13.4.1-73.4.1-83.4.2-1~deb9u13.4.2-1~deb9u23.4.2-1~deb9u3 |
3.4.2-1~deb9u4 |
spamassassinDebian:10 |
before 3.4.2-1+deb10u3, plus listed versions 3.4.2-13.4.2-1+deb10u13.4.2-1+deb10u2 |
3.4.2-1+deb10u3 |
spamassassinMageia:7 |
before 3.4.5-1.mga7 | 3.4.5-1.mga7 |
spamassassin-rulesMageia:7 |
before 3.4.5-1.mga7 | 3.4.5-1.mga7 |
spamassassinMageia:8 |
before 3.4.5-1.mga8 | 3.4.5-1.mga8 |
spamassassin-rulesMageia:8 |
before 3.4.5-1.mga8 | 3.4.5-1.mga8 |
spamassassinRed Hat:enterprise_linux:8::appstream |
before 0:3.4.4-4.el8 | 0:3.4.4-4.el8 |
spamassassin-debuginfoRed Hat:enterprise_linux:8::appstream |
before 0:3.4.4-4.el8 | 0:3.4.4-4.el8 |
spamassassin-debugsourceRed Hat:enterprise_linux:8::appstream |
before 0:3.4.4-4.el8 | 0:3.4.4-4.el8 |
spamassassinRocky Linux:8 |
before 0:3.4.4-4.el8 | 0:3.4.4-4.el8 |
spamassassinSUSE:HPE Helion OpenStack 8 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.4.5-44.13.1 | 3.4.5-44.13.1 |
spamassassinSUSE:OpenStack Cloud 8 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.4.5-44.13.1 | 3.4.5-44.13.1 |
spamassassinSUSE:OpenStack Cloud 9 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.4.5-44.13.1 | 3.4.5-44.13.1 |
spamassassinSUSE:OpenStack Cloud Crowbar 8 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.4.5-44.13.1 | 3.4.5-44.13.1 |
spamassassinSUSE:OpenStack Cloud Crowbar 9 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.4.5-44.13.1 | 3.4.5-44.13.1 |
spamassassinSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 12 SP3 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.4.5-44.13.1 | 3.4.5-44.13.1 |
spamassassinSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 12 SP4 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.4.5-44.13.1 | 3.4.5-44.13.1 |
spamassassinSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP2-BCL From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.4.5-44.13.1 | 3.4.5-44.13.1 |
spamassassinSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP3-LTSS From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.4.5-44.13.1 | 3.4.5-44.13.1 |
spamassassinSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP3-BCL From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.4.5-44.13.1 | 3.4.5-44.13.1 |
spamassassinSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP4-LTSS From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.4.5-44.13.1 | 3.4.5-44.13.1 |
spamassassinSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP5 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.4.5-44.13.1 | 3.4.5-44.13.1 |
spamassassinSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 12 SP5 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.4.5-44.13.1 | 3.4.5-44.13.1 |
spamassassinSUSE:Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15-ESPOS From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.4.5-7.14.1 | 3.4.5-7.14.1 |
spamassassinSUSE:Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15-LTSS From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.4.5-7.14.1 | 3.4.5-7.14.1 |
spamassassinSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 15-LTSS From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.4.5-7.14.1 | 3.4.5-7.14.1 |
spamassassinSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.4.5-7.14.1 | 3.4.5-7.14.1 |
spamassassinSUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Basesystem 15 SP2 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.4.5-12.10.1 | 3.4.5-12.10.1 |
spamassassinSUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Development Tools 15 SP2 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.4.5-12.10.1 | 3.4.5-12.10.1 |
spamassassinSUSE:Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP1-ESPOS From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.4.5-12.10.1 | 3.4.5-12.10.1 |
spamassassinSUSE:Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP1-LTSS From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.4.5-12.10.1 | 3.4.5-12.10.1 |
spamassassinSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP1-BCL From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.4.5-12.10.1 | 3.4.5-12.10.1 |
spamassassinSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP1-LTSS From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.4.5-12.10.1 | 3.4.5-12.10.1 |
spamassassinSUSE:Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP1 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.4.5-12.10.1 | 3.4.5-12.10.1 |
spamassassinSUSE:Manager Proxy 4.0 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.4.5-12.10.1 | 3.4.5-12.10.1 |
spamassassinSUSE:Manager Retail Branch Server 4.0 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.4.5-12.10.1 | 3.4.5-12.10.1 |
spamassassinSUSE:Manager Server 4.0 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.4.5-12.10.1 | 3.4.5-12.10.1 |
spamassassinSUSE:Enterprise Storage 6 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.4.5-12.10.1 | 3.4.5-12.10.1 |
spamassassinUbuntu:Pro:14.04:LTS |
before 3.4.2-0ubuntu0.14.04.1+esm3, plus listed versions 3.3.2-6ubuntu23.3.2-8ubuntu13.3.2-8ubuntu23.4.0-13.4.0-1ubuntu1 Show 5 moreShow less3.4.0-1ubuntu23.4.0-1ubuntu2.13.4.2-0ubuntu0.14.04.13.4.2-0ubuntu0.14.04.1+esm13.4.2-0ubuntu0.14.04.1+esm2 |
3.4.2-0ubuntu0.14.04.1+esm3 |
spamassassinUbuntu:16.04:LTS |
before 3.4.2-0ubuntu0.16.04.5, plus listed versions 3.4.1-13.4.1-23.4.1-33.4.2-0ubuntu0.16.04.13.4.2-0ubuntu0.16.04.23.4.2-0ubuntu0.16.04.33.4.2-0ubuntu0.16.04.4 |
3.4.2-0ubuntu0.16.04.5 |
spamassassinUbuntu:18.04:LTS |
before 3.4.2-0ubuntu0.18.04.5, plus listed versions 3.4.1-73.4.1-83.4.1-8build13.4.2-0ubuntu0.18.04.13.4.2-0ubuntu0.18.04.23.4.2-0ubuntu0.18.04.33.4.2-0ubuntu0.18.04.4 |
3.4.2-0ubuntu0.18.04.5 |
spamassassinUbuntu:20.04:LTS |
before 3.4.4-1ubuntu1.1, plus listed versions 3.4.2-13.4.2-23.4.3~rc6+1-13.4.3~rc7-13.4.3-13.4.4~rc1-13.4.4-1ubuntu1 |
3.4.4-1ubuntu1.1 |
spamassassinopenSUSE:Leap 15.2 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs |
before 3.4.5-lp152.10.3.1 | 3.4.5-lp152.10.3.1 |
spamassassinopenSUSE:Tumbleweed From an advisory covering 9 CVEs |
before 3.4.6-71.3 | 3.4.6-71.3 |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| affected, facts | ||
| aliases | EUVD | |
| first indexed | CVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2020-1946 is a critical vulnerability (CVSS 9.8) in Apache Spamassassin, published December 31, 2020. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 6.13%, the 93rd percentile. Fixed in spamassassin 3.4.5-r0.
References
s.apache.org/3r1wh
debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4879
lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/7V2SBVTKVLFFT36ECJQ7TQ7KAQCQZDRZ
lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/04/msg00000.html
lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/JFBFRIG5TX23NF4ND6OAKKY7I6TLRCCP
lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/NKAXYBKBMQOLIW6UKASJCAZRBOIYS4RL
Show 40 moreShow less
security.gentoo.org/glsa/202105-26
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-1946
lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/7V2SBVTKVLFFT36ECJQ7TQ7KAQCQZDRZ
lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/JFBFRIG5TX23NF4ND6OAKKY7I6TLRCCP
lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/NKAXYBKBMQOLIW6UKASJCAZRBOIYS4RL
github.com/advisories/GHSA-qmmx-pr2m-q429
security.alpinelinux.org/vuln/CVE-2020-1946
vulners.com/cve/CVE-2020-1946
security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2020-1946
advisories.mageia.org/MGASA-2021-0182.html
bugs.mageia.org/show_bug.cgi?id=28673
spamassassin.apache.org/news.html
svn.apache.org/repos/asf/spamassassin/branches/3.4/build/announcements/3.4.5.txt
openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/03/24/3
access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2021:4315
access.redhat.com/security/updates/classification
access.redhat.com/documentation/en-us/red_hat_enterprise_linux/8/html/8.5_release_notes
bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1943276
security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/advisories/2021/rhsa-2021_4315.json
access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2020-1946
cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-1946
errata.rockylinux.org/RLSA-2021:4315
suse.com/support/update/announcement/2021/suse-su-20211152-1
bugzilla.suse.com/1159133
bugzilla.suse.com/1184221
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2019-12420
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2020-1946
suse.com/support/update/announcement/2021/suse-su-20211153-1
suse.com/support/update/announcement/2021/suse-su-20211163-1
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2020-1946
ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-4899-1
ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-4899-2
lists.opensuse.org/archives/list/[email protected]/thread/GXHYC7MWI2M6Y32ROZZBS5HOZOAF2HAN
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2007-0451
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2007-2873
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2017-15705
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2018-11780
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2018-11805
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2020-1930
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2020-1931