CVE-2017-20229

MAWK 1.3.3-17 Stack-Based Buffer Overflow

Published Mar 28, 2026 CVSS 4.0 · 9.3 Critical EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
MAWK 1.3.3-17 and prior contains a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by exploiting inadequate boundary checks on user-supplied input. Attackers can craft malicious input that overflows the stack buffer and execute a return-oriented programming chain to spawn a shell with application privileges.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:invisible-island:mawk:1.3.3-17:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Invisible-island
Invisible-island mawk
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:invisible-island:mawk:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Invisible-island
Invisible-island mawk
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'poc', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Mawk
Mawk mawk
Vendors & Products Mawk
Mawk mawk
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description MAWK 1.3.3-17 and prior contains a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by exploiting inadequate boundary checks on user-supplied input. Attackers can craft malicious input that overflows the stack buffer and execute a return-oriented programming chain to spawn a shell with application privileges.
Title MAWK 1.3.3-17 Stack-Based Buffer Overflow
Weaknesses CWE-787
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 9.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

cvssV4_0

{'score': 9.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
VulnCheck
Published
Updated
Jul 15, 2026, 1:23 AM
Reserved
Mar 28, 2026, 11:45 AM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Mar 28, 2026, 12:16 PM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 1:15 AM