# CVE-2020-12641: Roundcube Webmail Remote Code Execution

> Attackers can execute arbitrary code via shell metacharacters in specific image conversion configuration settings in Roundcube Webmail.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Yes, since 22 Jun 2023 (CISA KEV)
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 4 May 2020
- **Updated:** 21 Oct 2025
- **Also known as:** BIT-roundcube-2020-12641, DEBIAN-CVE-2020-12641, GHSA-q9jx-pp2v-v8xh, UBUNTU-CVE-2020-12641

## What is CVE-2020-12641?

CVE-2020-12641 is a critical command injection vulnerability in Opensuse Backports Sle, published on 4 May 2020. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

rcube_image.php in Roundcube Webmail before 1.4.4 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via shell metacharacters in a configuration setting for im_convert_path or im_identify_path.

Weakness: CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-12641?

1 open source package ship an affected version, including roundcube. It affects 3 products.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `roundcube` | Bitnami | From 1.2.0 | 1.2.10, 1.3.11, 1.4.4 |

Products: Opensuse Backports Sle, Opensuse Leap, Roundcube Webmail.

## How do I fix CVE-2020-12641?

Upgrade roundcube to a fixed version for your release line: 1.2.10, 1.3.11 or 1.4.4. US federal agencies must fix it by 13 Jul 2023.

## Is CVE-2020-12641 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2020-12641 in the wild since at least 22 Jun 2023.

Public exploit code:

- CVE-2020-12641: Command Injection via “_im_convert_path” Parameter in Roundcube Webmail (github_poc): https://github.com/mbadanoiu/CVE-2020-12641
- MAL-004: Command Injection Bypass for CVE-2020-12641 in Roundcube Webmail (github_poc): https://github.com/mbadanoiu/MAL-004
- Roundcube Webmail - Command Injection (nuclei): http/cves/2020/CVE-2020-12641.yaml

## Other vulnerabilities in Opensuse Backports Sle

- [CVE-2020-12640](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-12640/): Path traversal in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2020-8233](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-8233/): Command injection in EdgeSwitch firmware v1.9.0 and prior (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2020-8026](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-8026/): inn: non-root owned files (high 8.4)
- [CVE-2020-15229](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-15229/): Path traversal and files overwrite with unsquashfs (high 8.2)
- [CVE-2019-5164](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-5164/): Command injection in Shadowsocks (high 7.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2020-12641 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2020-12641 is a critical command injection vulnerability in Opensuse Backports Sle, published on 4 May 2020. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2020-12641 in the wild since at least 22 Jun 2023.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- roundcube (Bitnami): affected from 1.2.0; fixed in 1.2.10, 1.3.11, 1.4.4

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-2020-12641/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-12641/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-12641
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-12641
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2020-12641

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-12641/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.