How severe is CVE-2020-9540?

CVE-2020-9540 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-9540 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (28th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-9540?

CVE-2020-9540 affects Sophos Hitmanpro.alert. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-9540?

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-2020-9540 published?

CVE-2020-9540 was published on 2020-03-02 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-9540

CVE-2020-9540 is a high-severity vulnerability in Sophos Hitmanpro.alert with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 4.6
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (28th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Sophos Hitmanpro.alert
Published: 2020-03-02
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Sophos HitmanPro.Alert before build 861 allows local elevation of privilege.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-9540?: Sophos HitmanPro.Alert before build 861 allows local elevation of privilege.
How severe is CVE-2020-9540?: CVE-2020-9540 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-9540 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (28th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-9540?: CVE-2020-9540 affects Sophos Hitmanpro.alert. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-9540?: 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-2020-9540 published?: CVE-2020-9540 was published on 2020-03-02 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://www.hitmanpro.com/en-us/whatsnewalert.aspx

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:sophos:hitmanpro.alert:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Sophos Hitmanpro.alert

CVE-2018-3971 — High (CVSS 7.8): An exploitable arbitrary write vulnerability exists in the 0x2222CC IOCTL handler functionality of Sophos…
CVE-2021-25270 — Medium (CVSS 6.7): A local attacker could execute arbitrary code with administrator privileges in HitmanPro.Alert before version Build 901.
CVE-2018-3970 — Medium (CVSS 5.5): An exploitable memory disclosure vulnerability exists in the 0x222000 IOCTL handler functionality of Sophos…

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