# CVE-2020-35606: Command injection in n/a

> Authorized users can execute arbitrary commands with root privileges in Webmin via the Package Updates module due to improper input validation.

- **Severity:** High 8.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 21 Dec 2020
- **Updated:** 4 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-vq42-23mp-rqh2

## What is CVE-2020-35606?

CVE-2020-35606 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in Webmin Webmin, published on 21 Dec 2020. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Arbitrary command execution can occur in Webmin through 1.962. Any user authorized for the Package Updates module can execute arbitrary commands with root privileges via vectors involving %0A and %0C. NOTE: this issue exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2019-12840.

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

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-35606?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Webmin Webmin.

## How do I fix CVE-2020-35606?

No fix has been published for CVE-2020-35606 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2020-35606 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2020-35606 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Webmin 1.962 - 'Package Updates' Escape Bypass RCE (Metasploit) (exploitdb)
- Webmin Exploit Scanner CVE-2020-35606 CVE-2019-12840 (github_poc): https://github.com/anasbousselham/webminscan

## Other vulnerabilities in Webmin Webmin

- [CVE-2019-15107](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-15107/): Webmin Command Injection (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2002-2201](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2002-2201/): Command injection in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2001-1196](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2001-1196/): Path traversal in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2024-12828](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-12828/): Webmin CGI Command Injection Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (critical 9.9)
- [CVE-2022-36446](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-36446/): Cross-site scripting in n/a (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2020-35606 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2020-35606 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in Webmin Webmin, published on 21 Dec 2020. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2020-35606 exists.

Affected product: Webmin Webmin. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

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-2020-35606/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-35606/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-35606
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-35606
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2020-35606

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-35606/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.