How severe is CVE-2020-5242?

CVE-2020-5242 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.7, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability none.

Is CVE-2020-5242 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (78th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-5242?

CVE-2020-5242 affects Openhab. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-5242?

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-2020-5242 published?

CVE-2020-5242 was published on 2020-02-20 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-5242

CVE-2020-5242 is a high-severity vulnerability in Openhab with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.7. 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-863.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.7)
CVSS v2: 9.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (78th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-863
Affected product: Openhab
Published: 2020-02-20
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

openHAB before 2.5.2 allow a remote attacker to use REST calls to install the EXEC binding or EXEC transformation service and execute arbitrary commands on the system with the privileges of the user running openHAB. Starting with version 2.5.2 all commands need to be whitelisted in a local file which cannot be changed via REST calls.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-5242?: openHAB before 2.5.2 allow a remote attacker to use REST calls to install the EXEC binding or EXEC transformation service and execute arbitrary commands on the system with the privileges of the user running openHAB. Starting with version 2.5.2 all commands need to be whitelisted in a local file which cannot be changed via REST calls.
How severe is CVE-2020-5242?: CVE-2020-5242 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.7, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability none.
Is CVE-2020-5242 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (78th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-5242?: CVE-2020-5242 affects Openhab. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-5242?: 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-2020-5242 published?: CVE-2020-5242 was published on 2020-02-20 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:openhab:openhab:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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