How severe is CVE-2020-1904?

CVE-2020-1904 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability none.

Is CVE-2020-1904 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (62nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-1904?

CVE-2020-1904 primarily affects Whatsapp. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-1904?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2020-1904 published?

CVE-2020-1904 was published on 2020-10-06 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-1904

CVE-2020-1904 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Whatsapp with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5. 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-22.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.5)
CVSS v2: 4.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (62nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-22
Affected product: Whatsapp
Published: 2020-10-06
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A path validation issue in WhatsApp for iOS prior to v2.20.61 and WhatsApp Business for iOS prior to v2.20.61 could have allowed for directory traversal overwriting files when sending specially crafted docx, xlsx, and pptx files as attachments to messages.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-1904?: A path validation issue in WhatsApp for iOS prior to v2.20.61 and WhatsApp Business for iOS prior to v2.20.61 could have allowed for directory traversal overwriting files when sending specially crafted docx, xlsx, and pptx files as attachments to messages.
How severe is CVE-2020-1904?: CVE-2020-1904 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability none.
Is CVE-2020-1904 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (62nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-1904?: CVE-2020-1904 primarily affects Whatsapp. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-1904?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2020-1904 published?: CVE-2020-1904 was published on 2020-10-06 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://www.whatsapp.com/security/advisories/2020/

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:whatsapp:whatsapp:*:*:*:*:*:iphone_os:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:whatsapp:whatsapp_business:*:*:*:*:*:iphone_os:*:*

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