CVE-2020-13151
CriticalPublic exploitAerospike Community Edition 4.9.0.5 allows for unauthenticated submission and execution of user-defined functions (UDFs), written in Lua, as part of a database query.
Published Aug 5, 2020 · Updated Jul 8, 2026
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2020-13151 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.8 v3.1) affecting Aerospike Server.
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 87% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Aerospike Server 4.5.3.21.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
CVSS v3.1
9.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
87%
Higher than 99.7% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
No known
Not in a known-exploited catalog
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
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Description
Aerospike Community Edition 4.9.0.5 allows for unauthenticated submission and execution of user-defined functions (UDFs), written in Lua, as part of a database query. It attempts to restrict code execution by disabling os.execute() calls, but this is insufficient. Anyone with network access can use a crafted UDF to execute arbitrary OS commands on all nodes of the cluster at the permission level of the user running the Aerospike service.
Affected Products
1 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Aerospike ServerAerospike | See advisory | 4.5.3.21 |
Patched Releases
Aerospike Server
4.5.3.21
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Aug 5, 2020
Last updated
Jul 8, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-78 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
References
- advisoryhttps://www.aerospike.com/download/server/notes.html#5.1.0.3
- advisoryhttps://www.aerospike.com/enterprise/download/server/notes.html#5.1.0.3
- exploithttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/160106/Aerospike-Database-5.1.0.3-Remote-Command-Execution.html
- exploithttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/160451/Aerospike-Database-UDF-Lua-Code-Execution.html
- exploithttps://b4ny4n.github.io/network-pentest/2020/08/01/cve-2020-13151-poc-aerospike.html
FAQ
Common Questions.
Aerospike Community Edition 4.9.0.5 allows for unauthenticated submission and execution of user-defined functions (UDFs), written in Lua, as part of a database query.
Affected: Aerospike Server. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Aerospike Server 4.5.3.21.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
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