How severe is CVE-2020-11446?

CVE-2020-11446 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-11446 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (28th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-11446?

CVE-2020-11446 primarily affects Eset Antivirus And Antispyware. In total, 14 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-11446?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2020-11446 published?

CVE-2020-11446 was published on 2020-04-29 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-11446

CVE-2020-11446 is a high-severity vulnerability in Eset Antivirus And Antispyware with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. 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-59.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 4.6
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (28th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-59
Affected product: Eset Antivirus And Antispyware
Published: 2020-04-29
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

ESET Antivirus and Antispyware Module module 1553 through 1560 allows a user with limited access rights to create hard links in some ESET directories and then force the product to write through these links into files that would normally not be write-able by the user, thus achieving privilege escalation.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-11446?: ESET Antivirus and Antispyware Module module 1553 through 1560 allows a user with limited access rights to create hard links in some ESET directories and then force the product to write through these links into files that would normally not be write-able by the user, thus achieving privilege escalation.
How severe is CVE-2020-11446?: CVE-2020-11446 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-11446 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (28th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-11446?: CVE-2020-11446 primarily affects Eset Antivirus And Antispyware. In total, 14 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-11446?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2020-11446 published?: CVE-2020-11446 was published on 2020-04-29 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://support.eset.com/en/ca7489-local-privilege-escalation-vulnerability-fixed-in-eset-products-for-windows

Affected products (14)

cpe:2.3:a:eset:antivirus_and_antispyware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:eset:endpoint_antivirus:-:*:*:*:*:-:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:eset:endpoint_security:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:eset:file_security:-:*:*:*:*:windows_server:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:eset:internet_security:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:eset:mail_security:-:*:*:*:*:domino:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:eset:mail_security:-:*:*:*:*:exchange_server:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:eset:mail_security:-:*:*:*:*:kerio:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:eset:mail_security:-:*:*:*:*:sharepoint_server:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:eset:nod32_antivirus:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:eset:nod32_antivirus:-:*:*:*:business:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:eset:smart_security:-:*:*:*:-:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:eset:smart_security:-:*:*:*:business:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:eset:smart_security:-:*:*:*:premium:*:*:*

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