CVE-2020-14418: A TOCTOU vulnerability exists in madCodeHook before 2020-07-16 that allows local attackers to elevate their pr

Routine

HIGH 7.0UPGRADEUPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2020-14418 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.0) affecting advanced malware protection, madcodehook, unified threat prevention platform. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A TOCTOU vulnerability exists in madCodeHook before 2020-07-16 that allows local attackers to elevate their privileges to SYSTEM. This occurs because path redirection can occur via vectors involving directory junctions.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.0 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 69%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-367
Published	2021-01-30
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: cisco · madshi · morphisec

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2021-01-30 06:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:54 UTCUpdated Record last modified

cisco advanced malware protection UPGRADE

Affected: < 7.2.13

Fixed in: 7.2.13

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy advanced-malware-protection || rpm -q advanced-malware-protection || advanced-malware-protection --version

2. UPGRADE to 7.2.13 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade advanced-malware-protection

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade advanced-malware-protection

Note

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

madshi madcodehook UPGRADE

Affected: < 4.1.3

Fixed in: 4.1.3

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 4.1.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade madcodehook

Note

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

morphisec unified threat prevention platform UPGRADE

Affected: < 3.5.9 · >= 4.0 and < 4.1.2

Fixed in: 3.5.9, 4.1.2

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy unified-threat-prevention-platform || rpm -q unified-threat-prevention-platform || unified-threat-prevention-platform --version

2. UPGRADE to 3.5.9 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade unified-threat-prevention-platform

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade unified-threat-prevention-platform

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 4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison unified-threat-prevention-platform sudo apt install unified-threat-prevention-platform=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0> sudo apt-mark hold unified-threat-prevention-platform

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

dnf --showduplicates list unified-threat-prevention-platform sudo dnf downgrade unified-threat-prevention-platform-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0> sudo dnf versionlock add unified-threat-prevention-platform

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-2020-14418?

advanced malware protection: upgrade to 7.2.13; madcodehook: upgrade to 4.1.3; unified threat prevention platform: upgrade to 3.5.9, 4.1.2. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-14418 being exploited?

CVE-2020-14418 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-2020-14418 affect?

CVE-2020-14418 affects advanced malware protection, madcodehook, unified threat prevention platform. Severity is high (CVSS 7.0). A TOCTOU vulnerability exists in madCodeHook before 2020-07-16 that allows local attackers to elevate their privileges to SYSTEM. This occurs because path redirection can occur via vectors involving directory junctions.

How urgent is CVE-2020-14418?

Priority 37/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Software pages

Cisco vulnerabilities

References

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