CVE-2020-5252

What it is

The command-line "safety" package for Python has a potential security issue. There are two Python characteristics that allow malicious code to “poison-pill” command-line Safety package detection routines by disguising, or obfuscating, other malicious or non-secure packages. This vulnerability is considered to be of low severity because the attack makes use of an existing Python condition, not the Safety tool itself. This can happen if: You are running Safety in a Python environment that you don’t trust. You are running Safety from the same Python environment where you have your dependencies installed. Dependency packages are being installed arbitrarily or without proper verification. Users can mitigate this issue by doing any of the following: Perform a static analysis by installing Docker and running the Safety Docker image: $ docker run --rm -it pyupio/safety check -r requirements.txt Run Safety against a static dependencies list, such as the requirements.txt file, in a separate, clean Python environment. Run Safety from a Continuous Integration pipeline. Use PyUp.io, which runs Safety in a controlled environment and checks Python for dependencies without any need to install them. Use PyUp's Online Requirements Checker.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine with an admin-level account, but needs a user to act. High risk of data tampering.

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. 2020-03-23 23:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 03:21 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: 5.0 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2020-03-23 23:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 03:21 UTC

Exploit probability

0.4% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-807

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Pyup Safety ≤ 1.8.6

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 5.0

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

High

Privileges needed

High

User interaction

Required

Scope

Changed

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

High

Availability

None

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-2020-5252.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2020-5252. 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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