Back to Database
Status published
Medium
CVE-2020-5210
NetHack command line -w option parsing is subject to a buffer overflow
Vulnerability Description
In NetHack before 3.6.5, an invalid argument to the -w command line option can cause a buffer overflow resulting in a crash or remote code execution/privilege escalation. This vulnerability affects systems that have NetHack installed suid/sgid and shared systems that allow users to influence command line options. Users should upgrade to NetHack 3.6.5.
Impact Analysis
Refer to official advisory for detailed impact metrics.
Remediation
Ensure systems are updated to the latest vendor-supplied patch levels.
THREAT MONITOR
Am I Vulnerable?
Launch our assessment wizard to check if your infrastructure is exposed to • CVE-2020-5210
Credits & Attribution
No credits recorded in the NVD database.
References
More from NetHack
View All →CVE-2023-24809
NetHack Call command buffer overflow
Medium
5.5
CVE-2020-5254
NetHack hilite_status parsing privilege escalation
Low
3.9
CVE-2020-5253
Privilege escalation in NetHack
Low
3.9
CVE-2020-5214
NetHack error recovery after syntax error in configuration file is subject to a buffer overflow
Medium
5
CVE-2020-5213
NetHack SYMBOL configuration file option is subject to a buffer overflow
Medium
5
Affected Vendor
NetHack
View all reports →Affected Software
NetHack
Vulnerable Versions:
< 3.6.5
Timeline
Official Publish:
January 28th, 2020
Last Modified:
August 4th, 2024
Added to House:
July 21st, 2026
CVSS Vectors
V3:
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L