CVE-2020-11431: The documentation component in i-net Clear Reports 16.0 to 19.2, HelpDesk 8.0 to 8.3, and PDFC 4.3 to 6.2 allo

This month

CRITICAL 9.1REMOTEUPGRADEUPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2020-11431 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.1) affecting clear reports, helpdesk, pdfc. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The documentation component in i-net Clear Reports 16.0 to 19.2, HelpDesk 8.0 to 8.3, and PDFC 4.3 to 6.2 allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to read arbitrary system files and directories on the target server via Directory Traversal.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.1 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.1% (top 18%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-22
Published	2020-05-07
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: inetsoftware

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-05-07 17:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:50 UTCUpdated Record last modified

inetsoftware clear reports UPGRADE

Affected: >= 16.0 and <= 19.2

Fixed in: newer than 19.2

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 16.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy clear-reports || rpm -q clear-reports || clear-reports --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 19.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade clear-reports

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade clear-reports

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 16.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison clear-reports sudo apt install clear-reports=<VERSION_BEFORE_16.0> sudo apt-mark hold clear-reports

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list clear-reports sudo dnf downgrade clear-reports-<VERSION_BEFORE_16.0> sudo dnf versionlock add clear-reports

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.

inetsoftware helpdesk UPGRADE

Affected: >= 8.0 and <= 8.3

Fixed in: newer than 8.3

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy helpdesk || rpm -q helpdesk || helpdesk --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 8.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade helpdesk

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade helpdesk

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 8.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison helpdesk sudo apt install helpdesk=<VERSION_BEFORE_8.0> sudo apt-mark hold helpdesk

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list helpdesk sudo dnf downgrade helpdesk-<VERSION_BEFORE_8.0> sudo dnf versionlock add helpdesk

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.

inetsoftware pdfc UPGRADE

Affected: >= 4.3 and <= 6.2

Fixed in: newer than 6.2

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.3

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy pdfc || rpm -q pdfc || pdfc --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 6.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade pdfc

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade pdfc

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison pdfc sudo apt install pdfc=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.3> sudo apt-mark hold pdfc

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list pdfc sudo dnf downgrade pdfc-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.3> sudo dnf versionlock add pdfc

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.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2020-11431?

clear reports: upgrade to newer than 19.2; helpdesk: upgrade to newer than 8.3; pdfc: upgrade to newer than 6.2. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-11431 being exploited?

CVE-2020-11431 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-2020-11431 affect?

CVE-2020-11431 affects clear reports, helpdesk, pdfc. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.1). The documentation component in i-net Clear Reports 16.0 to 19.2, HelpDesk 8.0 to 8.3, and PDFC 4.3 to 6.2 allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to read arbitrary system files and directories on the target server via Directory Traversal.

How urgent is CVE-2020-11431?

Priority 57/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

References

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