CVE-2020-5212: nethack Classic Buffer Overflow
Vulnerability summary
CVE-2020-5212 is a critical (CVSS 9.8) Classic Buffer Overflow vulnerability in nethack. EPSS estimates a 1.07% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 64.2% of scored vulnerabilities.
Advisory lineage
Upstream 0 · Downstream 1Timeline
- 28-01-2020PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
- 04-08-2024Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.
Description
In NetHack before 3.6.5, an extremely long value for the MENUCOLOR 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.
CVSS metrics
5 scores · 4 sources · 2 versions- CVE.orgCNA5.0MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:LDiffers
- 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
1.07%
Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days
Percentile
64%
Versus all other CVEs
30-day change
0.00 pp
From 1.07% on 18-09-2026
Known exploited
Compare KEV catalogsNot in any of the 3 tracked catalogs.
Public exploits
0 foundNo public exploits indexed.
Weaknesses
CWE · root causeAffected systems
Debian1 product
- nethack< 3.6.6-1
Nethack1 product
- nethack< 3.6.5
Ubuntu1 product
- nethackAll versions (No fix recorded)
3 vendors · 3 products
References
4 links- github.com/NetHack/NetHack/security/advisories/GHSA-g89f-m829-4m56X Refsource CONFIRMREPORTThird Party Advisory
