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.
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-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 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-2020-7385 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- 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
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:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N2.85.2Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
8.1HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/14300CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://help.rapid7.com/metasploit/release-notes/archive/2020/10/CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/14335CVE 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.
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.
