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CVE Record

CVE-2020-35357: A buffer overflow can occur when calculating the quantile value using the Statistics Library of GSL (GNU Sc...

A buffer overflow can occur when calculating the quantile value using the Statistics Library of GSL (GNU Scientific Library), versions 2.5 and 2.6. Processing a maliciously crafted input data for gsl_stats_quantile_from_sorted_data of the library may lead to unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2020-35357 is a buffer overflow in GNU Scientific Library statistics quantile handling. If an application uses affected GSL versions and processes maliciously crafted input through this function, it may crash or potentially run attacker-controlled code.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted library exposure issue. Prioritize internet-facing, data-processing, scientific, analytics, or embedded products that accept user-supplied numeric datasets and depend on GSL.

Technical view

The issue affects GSL 2.5 and 2.6 in gsl_stats_quantile_from_sorted_data. The CVE description says crafted input can trigger a buffer overflow, causing unexpected termination or arbitrary code execution. Public metadata does not include CVSS, CWE, CPEs, or detailed exploitability conditions.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely in applications or services linking GSL 2.5 or 2.6 and calculating quantiles from attacker-influenced data. Static linking or vendored copies may hide exposure from package inventories.

Exploitation context

The provided sources do not show KEV listing or active exploitation. Risk depends on whether external users can influence data passed into the affected quantile function.

Researcher notes

Evidence is incomplete for scoring and exploitation. The strongest source facts are the affected GSL versions, vulnerable function, upstream commit, and Debian LTS updates. Avoid assuming reachability without application-level data-flow review.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply GNU GSL or distribution security updates that include the referenced fix.
  • Patch Debian LTS systems using the relevant gsl security update.
  • Rebuild applications that statically link or vendor affected GSL code.
  • Check vendor guidance where GSL is bundled inside another product.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory systems and build manifests for GSL 2.5 or 2.6.
  • Identify code paths calling gsl_stats_quantile_from_sorted_data.
  • Confirm installed packages or source include the referenced upstream fix.
  • Review whether untrusted input can reach affected quantile calculations.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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description · low confidence lookup

Execution behavior lookup

The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2020-35357 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
5Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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