# CVE-2020-11977: Shell command injection in Apache Syncope

> Administrators with workflow entitlements can execute arbitrary code via Shell Service Tasks when the Flowable extension is enabled.

- **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:** 15 Sep 2020
- **Updated:** 4 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-p2rp-cmjq-r7wm

## What is CVE-2020-11977?

CVE-2020-11977 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in Apache Syncope, published on 15 Sep 2020. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

In Apache Syncope 2.1.X releases prior to 2.1.7, when the Flowable extension is enabled, an administrator with workflow entitlements can use Shell Service Tasks to perform malicious operations, including but not limited to file read, file write, and code execution.

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-11977?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.apache.syncope:syncope. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `org.apache.syncope:syncope` | Maven | From 2.1.0 | 2.1.7 |
| `org.apache.syncope:syncope` | Maven | From 2.1.0 | 2.1.7 |

Products: Apache Syncope.

## How do I fix CVE-2020-11977?

Upgrade org.apache.syncope:syncope to 2.1.7 or later.

## Is CVE-2020-11977 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-11977 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Apache Syncope

- [CVE-2026-53405](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-53405/): Apache Syncope: Remote Code Execution via Flowable BPMN Groovy ScriptTask (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2026-53421](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-53421/): Apache Syncope: Remote Code Execution via Scripted Connector (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2026-57308](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-57308/): Apache Syncope: SQL injection vulnerability in Audit Events search (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2026-62183](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-62183/): Apache Syncope: User self-service privilege escalation (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2026-63071](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-63071/): Apache Syncope: RCE via Groovy Sandbox bypass (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2020-11977 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2020-11977 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in Apache Syncope, published on 15 Sep 2020. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-11977 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- org.apache.syncope:syncope (Maven): affected from 2.1.0; fixed in 2.1.7
- org.apache.syncope:syncope (Maven): affected from 2.1.0; fixed in 2.1.7

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-2020-11977/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-11977/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-11977
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-11977
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2020-11977

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-11977/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.