PatchTheCVECVE-2020-10878: Perl before 5.30.3 has an integer overflow related to mishandling of a "PL_regkind[OP(n)] == NOTHING" situatio
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HIGH 8.6REMOTEUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE
CVE-2020-10878 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.6) affecting perl, fedora, leap. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
Perl before 5.30.3 has an integer overflow related to mishandling of a "PL_regkind[OP(n)] == NOTHING" situation. A crafted regular expression could lead to malformed bytecode with a possibility of instruction injection.
Why this priority
- High severity
- EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited
- Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
A fixed release or distro patch exists.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 8.6 (High) |
| Attack vector | Network (remote) |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges needed | None |
| User interaction | None |
| EPSS exploit chance | 4.9% (top 8%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Weakness | CWE-190 |
| Published | 2020-06-05 |
| Last modified | 2026-10-14 |
Last updated 2026-10-14 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Updated Record last modified
perl perl UPGRADE
Affected: < 5.30.3
Fixed in: 5.30.3
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy perl || rpm -q perl || perl --version
2. UPGRADE to 5.30.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade perl
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade perl
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
fedoraproject fedora MITIGATE
Affected: 31
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 31
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
opensuse leap MITIGATE
Affected: 15.1
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 15.1
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
netapp oncommand workflow automation MITIGATE
Affected: all versions
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy oncommand-workflow-automation || rpm -q oncommand-workflow-automation || oncommand-workflow-automation --version
No fixed or unaffected release known
Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.
netapp snap creator framework MITIGATE
Affected: all versions
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy snap-creator-framework || rpm -q snap-creator-framework || snap-creator-framework --version
No fixed or unaffected release known
Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.
oracle communications billing and revenue management DOWNGRADE
Affected: 12.0.0.2.0 · 12.0.0.3.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 12.0.0.2.0
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy communications-billing-and-revenue-management || rpm -q communications-billing-and-revenue-management || communications-billing-and-revenue-management --version
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 12.0.0.2.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison communications-billing-and-revenue-management
sudo apt install communications-billing-and-revenue-management=<VERSION_BEFORE_12.0.0.2.0>
sudo apt-mark hold communications-billing-and-revenue-management
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list communications-billing-and-revenue-management
sudo dnf downgrade communications-billing-and-revenue-management-<VERSION_BEFORE_12.0.0.2.0>
sudo dnf versionlock add communications-billing-and-revenue-management
Downgrade risk
Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.
After downgrade
Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.
Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.
Quick answers
How do I fix CVE-2020-10878?
perl: upgrade to 5.30.3; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; leap: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2020-10878 being exploited?
CVE-2020-10878 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.
What does CVE-2020-10878 affect?
CVE-2020-10878 affects perl, fedora, leap. Severity is high (CVSS 8.6). Perl before 5.30.3 has an integer overflow related to mishandling of a "PL_regkind[OP(n)] == NOTHING" situation. A crafted regular expression could lead to malformed bytecode with a possibility of instruction injection.
How urgent is CVE-2020-10878?
Priority 58/100. High severity; EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
Software pages
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