CVE-2020-1946
spamassassin: Malicious rule configuration files can be configured to run system commands
Severity
ModerateRed Hat Product Security
CVSS 3.1
Review impact separately from score.
Published · March 24, 2021
Updated · November 22, 2025
Description
A flaw was found in spamassassin. Malicious rule configuration (.cf) files can be configured to run system commands without any output or errors allowing exploits to be injected in a number of scenarios. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to data confidentiality and integrity as well as system availability.
CVSS score applicability
The CVSS score(s) listed for this vulnerability do not reflect the associated product's status, and are included for informational purposes to better understand the severity of this vulnerability.
Mitigation
This vulnerability can only be exploited through a malicious rule configuration file. If you are using third-party rule configuration files, it is important to ensure they come only from trusted sources, or are inspected prior to deployment. Even in the absence of this vulnerability, malicious rule configurations could cause significant disruptions to email processed by SpamAssassin.
CVSS / CWE
CVSS 3.1 · 7.8CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CWE-77 · Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')