Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This affects Metasploit Framework operators, not target systems. A malicious hostname or service name inside imported data could cause command execution in the operator's terminal when the vulnerable libnotify plugin processes it. It is rated medium and requires user interaction with attacker-supplied import data.
Executive priority
Treat this as a targeted tooling-risk issue rather than an internet-wide emergency. Prioritize remediation for red-team, security operations, and research workstations that import external data into Metasploit Framework.
Technical view
CVE-2020-7350 is CWE-78 OS command injection in the Metasploit Framework libnotify plugin before version 5.0.85. The untrusted data source is a remote computer hostname or service name imported into Metasploit. The CVE states normal scan operations do not trigger it, and Metasploit Pro is not affected.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to teams running Metasploit Framework versions before 5.0.85 with plugin functionality, especially where operators import files or data received from untrusted sources. Rapid7 Metasploit Pro is explicitly excluded by the CVE description.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. The described path requires a crafted hostname or service name to reach Metasploit through imported data, plus operator interaction. It cannot be triggered by a normal scan operation according to the CVE description.
Researcher notes
The important boundary is operator-side command injection through imported metadata, not exploitation of scanned hosts. Evidence provided names Metasploit Framework before 5.0.85 and excludes Metasploit Pro. No source in the bundle supports active exploitation or broader affected products.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade Metasploit Framework to 5.0.85 or later.
- Avoid importing Metasploit data files from untrusted sources.
- Restrict plugin use to trusted operator workstations.
- Review vendor guidance and Rapid7 issue context before operational changes.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Metasploit Framework installations and record exact versions.
- Confirm whether vulnerable versions before 5.0.85 remain in use.
- Check whether the libnotify plugin is enabled or used operationally.
- Review recent imports for files from untrusted or external sources.
- Confirm Metasploit Pro-only deployments are not treated as affected.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
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.
CWE-78: Command execution behavior lookup
Command injection weaknesses can lead defenders to review execution techniques and command interpreter telemetry. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution 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 lookupCVE-2020-7350 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 6.1 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N
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.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N1.84.2Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
6.1MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/issues/13026CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.