CVE-2020-36164

What it is

An issue was discovered in Veritas Enterprise Vault through 14.0. On start-up, it loads the OpenSSL library. The OpenSSL library then attempts to load the openssl.cnf configuration file (which does not exist) at the following locations in both the System drive (typically C:\) and the product's installation drive (typically not C:\): \Isode\etc\ssl\openssl.cnf (on SMTP Server) or \user\ssl\openssl.cnf (on other affected components). By default, on Windows systems, users can create directories under C:\. A low privileged user can create a openssl.cnf configuration file to load a malicious OpenSSL engine, resulting in arbitrary code execution as SYSTEM when the service starts. This gives the attacker administrator access on the system, allowing the attacker (by default) to access all data, access all installed applications, etc. This vulnerability only affects a server with MTP Server, SMTP Archiving IMAP Server, IMAP Archiving, Vault Cloud Adapter, NetApp File server, or File System Archiving for NetApp as File Server.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine without logging in. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.

Exploit odds

0.4% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2021-01-06 01:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 03:14 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.4% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 9.3 CRITICAL (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2021-01-06 01:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 03:14 UTC

Exploit probability

0.4% · EPSS, next 30 days

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Veritas Enterprise Vault ≤ 14.0

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 9.3

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

None

User interaction

None

Scope

Changed

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

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-2020-36164.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2020-36164. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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