LiveActive security incident?Get immediate response
CVE Record

CVE-2020-7385: Metasploit Framework 'drb_remote_codeexec' code execution

By launching the drb_remote_codeexec exploit, a Metasploit Framework user will inadvertently expose Metasploit to the same deserialization issue that is exploited by that module, due to the reliance on the vulnerable Distributed Ruby class functions. Since Metasploit Framework typically runs with elevated privileges, this can lead to a system compromise on the Metasploit workstation. Note that an attacker would have to lie in wait and entice the Metasploit user to run the affected module against a malicious endpoint in a "hack-back" type of attack. Metasploit is only vulnerable when the drb_remote_codeexec module is running. In most cases, this cannot happen automatically.

HighCVSS 8.1Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This issue can turn a Metasploit workstation into the target. If a user runs the affected drb_remote_codeexec module against a malicious endpoint, Metasploit can hit the same unsafe deserialization weakness it is trying to test. Because Metasploit often runs with elevated privileges, compromise of the operator’s system is plausible.

Executive priority

Treat this as a high-priority security tooling risk, especially for red teams and vulnerability teams. The exposure is narrow, but the impacted asset may be privileged and trusted.

Technical view

CVE-2020-7385 is a CWE-502 deserialization issue in Rapid7 Metasploit Framework 6.0.15. The affected drb_remote_codeexec module relies on vulnerable Distributed Ruby class behavior. Exposure exists only while that module is running, with user interaction required. CVSS is 8.1: network attack vector, low complexity, no attacker privileges, and high confidentiality and integrity impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to environments running Metasploit Framework 6.0.15 where operators execute the drb_remote_codeexec module against untrusted or malicious endpoints.

Exploitation context

The sources describe a “hack-back” scenario: an attacker waits for or entices a Metasploit user to run the module against a malicious endpoint. The CVE is not in KEV, and the supplied sources do not show active exploitation.

Researcher notes

The key constraint is runtime exposure: Metasploit is vulnerable only while the affected module is running. Source evidence does not establish broader affected versions beyond 6.0.15, active exploitation, or a standalone automatic attack path.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify Metasploit Framework installations and remove or update affected 6.0.15 instances.
  • Follow Rapid7 release notes and PR guidance for the corrected Metasploit version.
  • Avoid running drb_remote_codeexec against untrusted endpoints until remediation is confirmed.
  • Limit Metasploit execution privileges where operationally possible.
  • Review procedures for testing attacker-controlled endpoints.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Metasploit Framework versions used by security teams and jump boxes.
  • Confirm whether version 6.0.15 is present anywhere.
  • Check whether drb_remote_codeexec has been used against untrusted endpoints.
  • Verify the environment includes Rapid7 fixes referenced by PR 14300 and PR 14335.
  • Document operator workflow controls for malicious or unknown endpoints.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
5

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.

cwe · medium confidence lookup

CWE-502: Code execution behavior lookup

Code execution and unsafe deserialization weaknesses often justify reviewing execution behavior and process 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 lookup
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-2020-7385 mapping review

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

Open ATT&CK lookup
Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
8.1 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

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.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
4Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We 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.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
8.1CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N2.85.2Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

8.1High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2020-7385Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
Rapid7Metasploit Framework6.0.15Listed
Weakness

CWE details

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

CWE-502 · source CWE mapping

Deserialization of Untrusted Data

Deserialization of Untrusted Data represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.