CVE-2017-20201
What it is
CCleaner v5.33.6162 and CCleaner Cloud v1.07.3191 (32-bit builds) contained a malicious pre-entry-point loader that diverts execution from __scrt_common_main_seh into a custom loader. That loader decodes an embedded blob into shellcode, allocates executable heap memory, resolves Windows API functions at runtime, and transfers execution to an in-memory payload. The payload performs anti-analysis checks, gathers host telemetry, encodes the data with a two-stage obfuscation, and attempts HTTPS exfiltration to hard-coded C2 servers or month-based DGA domains. Potential impacts include remote data collection and exfiltration, stealthy in-memory execution and persistence, and potential lateral movement. CCleaner was developed by Piriform, which was acquired by Avast in July 2017; Avast later merged with NortonLifeLock to form the parent company now known as Gen Digital. According to vendor advisories, the compromised CCleaner build was released on August 15, 2017 and remediated on September 12, 2017 with v5.34; the compromised CCleaner Cloud build was released on August 24, 2017 and remediated on September 15, 2017 with v1.07.3214.
At a glance
- Exploitability
- Can be exploited over the network without logging in, but needs a user to act. High risk of data exposure, data tampering.
- Exploit odds
- 0.5% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Fix
- No patch or advisory is linked yet. Look at mitigations or restrict exposure.
Timeline
- PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
- Last updatedMost recent change to the record
Why it ranks here
- Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
- Exploit odds: 0.5% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Severity: 9.3 CRITICAL (CVSS).
- Fix: none linked yet, which raises it.
Details
- Published
- Last modified
- Exploit probability
- 0.5% · EPSS, next 30 days
- Weakness
- CWE-506
- Record status
- Deferred
Attack profile CVSS 4.0 · 9.3
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- None
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- Active
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- None
Raw vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:H/SI:H/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
Is it in your code?
Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.
Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2017-20201.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2017-20201. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.
References
- https://blog.avast.com/progress-on-ccleaner-investigation
- https://blog.avast.com/update-to-the-ccleaner-5.33.6162-security-incident
- https://blog.talosintelligence.com/avast-distributes-malware/
- https://www.ccleaner.com/
- https://www.ccleaner.com/knowledge/security-notification-ccleaner-v5336162-ccleaner-cloud-v1073191
- https://www.crowdstrike.com/en-us/blog/protecting-software-supply-chain-deep-insights-ccleaner-backdoor/
- https://www.morphisec.com/blog/morphisec-discovers-ccleaner-backdoor/
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/ccleaner-and-ccleaner-cloud-malicious-backdoor-supply-chain-compromise
- https://www.crowdstrike.com/en-us/blog/protecting-software-supply-chain-deep-insights-ccleaner-backdoor/