CVE-2020-18897

An use-after-free vulnerability in the libpff_item_tree_create_node function of libyal Libpff...

7.8 HighFix available

An use-after-free vulnerability in the libpff_item_tree_create_node function of libyal Libpff before 20180623 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (DOS) or execute arbitrary code via a crafted pff file.

Attack profile

How easy it is to exploit

Attack vector: Local
Complexity: Low
Privileges needed: None
User interaction: Required

What an attacker can affect

Confidentiality: High
Integrity: High
Availability: High

Exploit likelihood

0.50%Down 0.9 points since Aug 20, 2021

What each source reports

NVD Score used 7.8

Record: CVE-2020-18897
CVSS 3.1: 7.8 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS 2.0: 4.4 MediumAV:L/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
Weakness: CWE-416
Updated: 2026-11-02

CVE List No score

Record: CVE-2020-18897
Updated: 2026-11-02

EUVDEUVD-2020-10810 No score

Record: EUVD-2020-10810
Updated: 2026-11-03

GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-8whc-587x-j3fm No score

An use-after-free vulnerability in the libpff_item_tree_create_node function of libyal Libpff...

Record: GHSA-8whc-587x-j3fm
Weakness: CWE-416
Updated: 2026-11-02

OSV 7.8

Record: CVE-2020-18897
CVSS 3.1: 7.8 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Updated: 2026-11-02

OSVDEBIAN-CVE-2020-18897 7.8

Record: DEBIAN-CVE-2020-18897
CVSS 3.1: 7.8 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Updated: 2026-11-02

OSVUBUNTU-CVE-2020-18897 7.8

Record: UBUNTU-CVE-2020-18897
CVSS 3.1: 7.8 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Updated: 2026-11-02

Affected products

libpff project libpff

Affected packages

Affected packages
Package	Affected	Fixed
`libpff` Debian:12	before 20180714-1	20180714-1
`libpff` Debian:13	before 20180714-1	20180714-1
`libpff` Debian:14	before 20180714-1	20180714-1
`libpff` Ubuntu:16.04:LTS	All versions, plus listed versions 20120802-5	None known
`libpff` Ubuntu:18.04:LTS	All versions, plus listed versions 20120802-520120802-5.1	None known

History

History
Recorded	Changed	Sources
Nov 3, 2026	aliases	EUVD
Nov 2, 2026	first indexed	CVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV

Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.

In short

CVE-2020-18897 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 7.8) in Libpff Project Libpff, published August 19, 2021. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.50%, the 43rd percentile. Fixed in libpff 20180714-1.