CVE-2017-20229
CVE-2017-20229 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Invisible-island Mawk with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-787.
Key facts
- Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
- CVSS v4: 9.3
- EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (45th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2017-18951
- Weakness: CWE-787
- Affected product: Invisible-island Mawk
- Published:
- Last modified:
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.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2017-20229?
- 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.
- How severe is CVE-2017-20229?
- CVE-2017-20229 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2017-20229 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (45th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2017-20229?
- CVE-2017-20229 affects Invisible-island Mawk. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2017-20229?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
- Does CVE-2017-20229 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
- Yes. CVE-2017-20229 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2017-18951.
- When was CVE-2017-20229 published?
- CVE-2017-20229 was published on 2026-03-28 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42357
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/mawk-17-stack-based-buffer-overflow
Affected products (1)
- cpe:2.3:a:invisible-island:mawk:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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