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CVE-2020-5214 Details

Description

In NetHack before 3.6.5, detecting an unknown configuration file option can cause a buffer overflow resulting in a crash or remote code execution/privilege escalation. This vulnerability affects systems that have NetHack installed suid/sgid and shared systems that allow users to upload their own configuration files. Users should upgrade to NetHack 3.6.5.

Metrics

CVSS 3.x Severity and Vector Strings:

NIST: [email protected]CVSS-B:9.8 CRITICALVector:CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CNA: [email protected]CVSS-B:5 MEDIUMVector:CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L

References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools

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URL	Source(s)	Tag(s)
https://github.com/NetHack/NetHack/security/advisories/GHSA-p8fw-rq89-xqx6	CVE	Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/NetHack/NetHack/security/advisories/GHSA-p8fw-rq89-xqx6	[email protected]	Third Party Advisory

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-ID	CWE Name	Source
CWE-120	Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')	[email protected]
CWE-120	Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')	[email protected]

Affected Products

Product	Versions
nethack nethack	< 3.6.5
CPE cpe:2.3:a:nethack:nethack:::::::: Remediation No remediation found in references.

Change History

6 change records found show changes

Date	Action	Recorded By
Jun 17, 2026	CVE Modified	[email protected]
Nov 21, 2024	CVE Modified	CVE
May 14, 2024	CVE Modified	[email protected]
Feb 7, 2020	Reanalysis	[email protected]
Feb 3, 2020	Initial Analysis	[email protected]
Jan 28, 2020	CVE Modified	[email protected]