How severe is CVE-2020-15542?

CVE-2020-15542 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-2020-15542 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (73rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-15542?

CVE-2020-15542 affects Solarwinds Serv-u Ftp Server. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-15542?

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.

When was CVE-2020-15542 published?

CVE-2020-15542 was published on 2020-07-05 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-15542

CVE-2020-15542 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Solarwinds Serv-u Ftp Server 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.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 7.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (73rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Solarwinds Serv-u Ftp Server
Published: 2020-07-05
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

SolarWinds Serv-U FTP server before 15.2.1 mishandles the CHMOD command.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-15542?: SolarWinds Serv-U FTP server before 15.2.1 mishandles the CHMOD command.
How severe is CVE-2020-15542?: CVE-2020-15542 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-2020-15542 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (73rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-15542?: CVE-2020-15542 affects Solarwinds Serv-u Ftp Server. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-15542?: 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.
When was CVE-2020-15542 published?: CVE-2020-15542 was published on 2020-07-05 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://documentation.solarwinds.com/en/success_center/servu/Content/Release_Notes/Servu_15-2-1_release_notes.htm

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:solarwinds:serv-u_ftp_server:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Solarwinds Serv-u Ftp Server

CVE-2020-15543 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): SolarWinds Serv-U FTP server before 15.2.1 does not validate an argument path.
CVE-2020-15541 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): SolarWinds Serv-U FTP server before 15.2.1 allows remote command execution.
CVE-2019-12181 — High (CVSS 8.8): A privilege escalation vulnerability exists in SolarWinds Serv-U before 15.1.7 for Linux.
CVE-2018-19999 — High (CVSS 7.8): The local management interface in SolarWinds Serv-U FTP Server 15.1.6.25 has incorrect access controls that permit…
CVE-2018-15906 — High (CVSS 7.2): SolarWinds Serv-U FTP Server 15.1.6 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code by leveraging the…
CVE-2019-13181 — Medium (CVSS 6.5): A CSV injection vulnerability exists in the web UI of SolarWinds Serv-U FTP Server v15.1.7.

All CVEs affecting Solarwinds Serv-u Ftp Server →