# CVE-2020-10204: Remote Code Execution - JavaEL Injection (low privileged accounts) in Nexus Repository Manager

> Attackers can execute arbitrary code on Sonatype Nexus Repository servers, compromising the artifact management system.

- **Severity:** High 7.2 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** An administrator
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 1 Apr 2020
- **Updated:** 4 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-8h56-v53h-5hhj

## What is CVE-2020-10204?

CVE-2020-10204 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 1 Apr 2020. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Sonatype Nexus Repository before 3.21.2 allows Remote Code Execution.

Weakness: CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-10204?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.sonatype.nexus:nexus-core. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `org.sonatype.nexus:nexus-core` | Maven | All versions | 3.21.2 |
| `org.sonatype.nexus:nexus-core` | Maven | All versions | 3.21.2 |

Products: Sonatype Nexus.

## How do I fix CVE-2020-10204?

Upgrade org.sonatype.nexus:nexus-core to 3.21.2 or later.

## Is CVE-2020-10204 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2020-10204 exists.

Public exploit code:

- CVE-2020-10204 远程命令执行脚本 (github_poc): https://github.com/zhzyker/CVE-2020-10204
- Sonatype Nexus Repository Manager 3 - Remote Code Execution (nuclei): http/cves/2020/CVE-2020-10204.yaml

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2020-10199](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-10199/): Sonatype Nexus Repository Remote Code Execution (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2020-11444](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-11444/): Missing authorization in n/a (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2014-9389](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2014-9389/): Path traversal in n/a (high 7.5)
- [CVE-2014-2034](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2014-2034/): Auth bypass in n/a (high 7.5)
- [CVE-2014-0792](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2014-0792/): Deserialization in n/a (high 7.5)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2020-10204 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2020-10204 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 1 Apr 2020. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2020-10204 exists.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- org.sonatype.nexus:nexus-core (Maven): affected all versions; fixed in 3.21.2
- org.sonatype.nexus:nexus-core (Maven): affected all versions; fixed in 3.21.2

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-10204/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-10204/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-10204
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-10204
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2020-10204

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-10204/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.