How severe is CVE-2020-15838?

CVE-2020-15838 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-15838 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (65th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-15838?

CVE-2020-15838 affects Connectwise Automate. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-15838?

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-2020-15838 published?

CVE-2020-15838 was published on 2020-10-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-15838

CVE-2020-15838 is a high-severity vulnerability in Connectwise Automate with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. 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-732.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
CVSS v2: 6.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (65th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-732
Affected product: Connectwise Automate
Published: 2020-10-09
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The Agent Update System in ConnectWise Automate before 2020.8 allows Privilege Escalation because the _LTUPDATE folder has weak permissions.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-15838?: The Agent Update System in ConnectWise Automate before 2020.8 allows Privilege Escalation because the _LTUPDATE folder has weak permissions.
How severe is CVE-2020-15838?: CVE-2020-15838 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-15838 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (65th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-15838?: CVE-2020-15838 affects Connectwise Automate. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-15838?: 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-2020-15838 published?: CVE-2020-15838 was published on 2020-10-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:connectwise:automate:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Connectwise Automate

CVE-2021-35066 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): An XXE vulnerability exists in ConnectWise Automate before 2021.0.6.132.
CVE-2020-15027 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): ConnectWise Automate through 2020.x has insufficient validation on certain authentication paths, allowing…
CVE-2025-11492 — Critical (CVSS 9.6): In the ConnectWise Automate Agent, communications could be configured to use HTTP instead of HTTPS. In such cases, an…
CVE-2026-9089 — High (CVSS 8.8): The ConnectWise Automate™ Agent does not fully verify the authenticity of components obtained during plugin loading…
CVE-2025-11493 — High (CVSS 8.8): The ConnectWise Automate Agent does not fully verify the authenticity of files downloaded from the server, such as…
CVE-2023-47257 — High (CVSS 8.1): ConnectWise ScreenConnect through 23.8.4 allows man-in-the-middle attackers to achieve remote code execution via…

All CVEs affecting Connectwise Automate →

Other CWE-732 (Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource) vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-9508 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Incorrect permission settings on a critical resource in Suprema BioStar 2 (versions 2.9.3 through 2.9.11) that allow…
CVE-2025-14988 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): A security issue has been identified in ibaPDA that could allow unauthorized actions on the file system under certain…
CVE-2025-69426 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The Ruckus vRIoT IoT Controller firmware versions prior to 3.0.0.0 (GA) contain hardcoded credentials for an operating…
CVE-2025-12004 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource vulnerability in The Wikimedia Foundation Mediawiki - Lockdown…
CVE-2014-125121 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Array Networks vAPV (version 8.3.2.17) and vxAG (version 9.2.0.34) appliances are affected by a privilege escalation…
CVE-2025-46093 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): LiquidFiles before 4.1.2 supports FTP SITE CHMOD for mode 6777 (setuid and setgid), which allows FTPDrop users to…

Browse all CWE-732 (Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource) vulnerabilities →