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CVE Record

CVE-2020-5794: A vulnerability in Nessus Network Monitor versions 5.11.0, 5.11.1, and 5.12.0 for Windows could allow an au...

A vulnerability in Nessus Network Monitor versions 5.11.0, 5.11.1, and 5.12.0 for Windows could allow an authenticated local attacker to execute arbitrary code by copying user-supplied files to a specially constructed path in a specifically named user directory. The attacker needs valid credentials on the Windows system to exploit this vulnerability.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This issue affects certain Windows installations of Tenable Nessus Network Monitor. A person who already has valid local Windows credentials could abuse file-handling behavior to run arbitrary code. The public source bundle does not provide a CVSS score or evidence of active exploitation.

Executive priority

Handle as a targeted local privilege or code execution risk, not an internet-scale emergency based on current evidence. Prioritize affected Windows monitoring servers because compromise of security tooling can weaken detection and operational trust.

Technical view

CVE-2020-5794 is a local authenticated arbitrary code execution vulnerability in Nessus Network Monitor 5.11.0, 5.11.1, and 5.12.0 for Windows. Exploitation depends on valid system credentials and a specially constructed local path in a specifically named user directory.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Windows systems running Nessus Network Monitor versions 5.11.0, 5.11.1, or 5.12.0. Non-Windows deployments and other versions are not identified as affected in the provided sources.

Exploitation context

The provided sources describe authenticated local exploitation only. They do not show CISA KEV listing, public exploitation, remote exploitation, or unauthenticated access. Treat exploitation status as unconfirmed beyond the vendor-described local attack condition.

Researcher notes

The available record lacks CVSS, CWE, detailed impact boundaries, and named fixed versions. Analysis is therefore constrained to the vendor-described affected versions and authenticated local code execution condition. Avoid assuming broader Tenable product exposure without vendor confirmation.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify any Windows Nessus Network Monitor 5.11.0, 5.11.1, or 5.12.0 deployments.
  • Review Tenable advisory TNS-2020-09 for vendor-supported remediation guidance.
  • Restrict local Windows access to trusted administrative and monitoring users.
  • Prioritize remediation on shared, jump-host, or multi-user Windows systems.

Validation and detection

  • Check asset inventory for affected Nessus Network Monitor versions on Windows.
  • Confirm whether local Windows accounts exist for non-administrative or shared users.
  • Review endpoint logs for unusual activity around the NNM installation context.
  • Document remediation status against Tenable advisory TNS-2020-09.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
3

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

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

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.

Open ATT&CK lookup
cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2020-5794 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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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
2Source 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/aNessus Network MonitorNNM 5.11.0, 5.11.1, 5.12.0Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.