CVE-2017-20229: MAWK 1.3.3-17 Stack-Based Buffer Overflow
Vulnerability summary
CVE-2017-20229 is a critical (CVSS 9.8) Out-of-bounds Write vulnerability in invisible-island mawk. EPSS estimates a 0.61% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 49.3% of scored vulnerabilities. 1 public exploit is recorded.
Public exploit (exploit-database, 24-07-2017)
Source freshness unavailable
How is this decided?Timeline
- 28-03-2026PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
- 15-07-2026Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.
Description
MAWK 1.3.3-17 and prior contains a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by exploiting inadequate boundary checks on user-supplied input. Attackers can craft malicious input that overflows the stack buffer and execute a return-oriented programming chain to spawn a shell with application privileges.
CVSS metrics
7 scores · 4 sources · 2 versions- NVDNIST9.3CriticalCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
- OSV · UbuntuEcosystem advisory · calculated9.3CriticalCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
- NVDNIST9.8CriticalCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- OSV · UbuntuEcosystem advisory · calculated9.8CriticalCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- OSV · DebianEcosystem advisory · calculated9.8CriticalCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS trend
Probability
0.61%
Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days
Percentile
49%
Versus all other CVEs
30-day change
Increase +0.01 pp
From 0.60% on 04-10-2026
Known exploited
Compare KEV catalogs
CISA KEVNot in the CISA KEV catalog.
ENISA CNWNot in the ENISA CNW catalog.
CIRCLNot in the CIRCL catalog.
Public exploits
1 foundMAWK 1.3.3-17 - Local Buffer Overflow
Maturity: poc
Weaknesses
CWE · root causeAffected systems
Known conditions: network-reachable, no authentication, no user interaction (CVSS vector). Other conditions: not stated in public data.
Debian1 product
- mawkAll versions (No fix recorded)
Invisible-island1 product
- mawk≤ 1.3.3-17
Mawk1 product
- mawk1.3.3-17
Ubuntu1 product
- mawkAll versions (No fix recorded)
4 vendors · 4 products
