CVE-2020-26238: Cron-utils is a Java library to parse, validate, migrate crons as well as get human readable descriptions for

Q: How do I fix CVE-2020-26238?

cron-utils: upgrade to 9.1.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2020-26238 being exploited?

CVE-2020-26238 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2020-26238 affect?

CVE-2020-26238 affects cron-utils. Severity is high (CVSS 7.9). Cron-utils is a Java library to parse, validate, migrate crons as well as get human readable descriptions for them. In cron-utils before version 9.1.3, a template Injection vulnerability is present. This enables attackers to inject arbitrar

Q: How urgent is CVE-2020-26238?

Priority 55/100. High severity; EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

This month

HIGH 7.9UPGRADE

CVE-2020-26238 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.9) affecting cron-utils. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Cron-utils is a Java library to parse, validate, migrate crons as well as get human readable descriptions for them. In cron-utils before version 9.1.3, a template Injection vulnerability is present. This enables attackers to inject arbitrary Java EL expressions, leading to unauthenticated Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability. Only projects using the @Cron annotation to validate untrusted Cron expressions are affected. This issue was patched

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.9 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	4.2% (top 9%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-74
Published	2020-11-25
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: cron-utils project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-11-25 00:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:07 UTCUpdated Record last modified

cron-utils project cron-utils UPGRADE

Affected: < 9.1.3

Fixed in: 9.1.3

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy cron-utils || rpm -q cron-utils || cron-utils --version

2. UPGRADE to 9.1.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade cron-utils

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade cron-utils

Note

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

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-2020-26238?

cron-utils: upgrade to 9.1.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-26238 being exploited?

CVE-2020-26238 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-2020-26238 affect?

CVE-2020-26238 affects cron-utils. Severity is high (CVSS 7.9). Cron-utils is a Java library to parse, validate, migrate crons as well as get human readable descriptions for them. In cron-utils before version 9.1.3, a template Injection vulnerability is present. This enables attackers to inject arbitrar

How urgent is CVE-2020-26238?

Priority 55/100. High severity; EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Software pages

Java vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2021-41269 CRITICAL 10.0 UPGRADE cron-utils is a Java library to define, parse, validate, migrate crons as well as get human readable descripti

References

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