How severe is CVE-2020-27871?

CVE-2020-27871 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-27871 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 90% (100th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-27871?

CVE-2020-27871 affects Solarwinds Orion Platform. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-27871?

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-2020-27871 published?

CVE-2020-27871 was published on 2021-02-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-27871

CVE-2020-27871 is a high-severity vulnerability in Solarwinds Orion Platform with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 90% places it in the 100th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-22.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.2)
CVSS v2: 9.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 90% (100th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-22
Affected product: Solarwinds Orion Platform
Published: 2021-02-10
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to create arbitrary files on affected installations of SolarWinds Orion Platform 2020.2.1. Although authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability, the existing authentication mechanism can be bypassed. The specific flaw exists within VulnerabilitySettings.aspx. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of a user-supplied path prior to using it in file operations. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-11902.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-27871?: This vulnerability allows remote attackers to create arbitrary files on affected installations of SolarWinds Orion Platform 2020.2.1. Although authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability, the existing authentication mechanism can be bypassed. The specific flaw exists within VulnerabilitySettings.aspx. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of a user-supplied path prior to using it in file operations. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-11902.
How severe is CVE-2020-27871?: CVE-2020-27871 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-27871 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 90% (100th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-27871?: CVE-2020-27871 affects Solarwinds Orion Platform. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-27871?: 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-2020-27871 published?: CVE-2020-27871 was published on 2021-02-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-21-067/

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:solarwinds:orion_platform:2020.2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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