How severe is CVE-2020-24420?

CVE-2020-24420 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-24420 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (51st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-24420?

CVE-2020-24420 affects Adobe Photoshop. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-24420?

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-2020-24420 published?

CVE-2020-24420 was published on 2020-10-21 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-24420

CVE-2020-24420 is a high-severity vulnerability in Adobe Photoshop with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0. 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-427.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.0)
CVSS v2: 6.9
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (51st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-427
Affected product: Adobe Photoshop
Published: 2020-10-21
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Adobe Photoshop for Windows version 21.2.1 (and earlier) is affected by an uncontrolled search path element vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-24420?: Adobe Photoshop for Windows version 21.2.1 (and earlier) is affected by an uncontrolled search path element vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.
How severe is CVE-2020-24420?: CVE-2020-24420 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.0, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-24420 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (51st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-24420?: CVE-2020-24420 affects Adobe Photoshop. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-24420?: 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-2020-24420 published?: CVE-2020-24420 was published on 2020-10-21 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/photoshop/apsb20-63.html

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:adobe:photoshop:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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Other CWE-427 (Uncontrolled Search Path Element) vulnerabilities

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CVE-2019-25268 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): NREL BEopt 2.8.0.0 contains a DLL hijacking vulnerability that allows attackers to load arbitrary libraries by tricking…
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