CVE-2020-28169: The td-agent-builder plugin before 2020-12-18 for Fluentd allows attackers to gain privileges because the bin

Q: How do I fix CVE-2020-28169?

td-agent-builder: upgrade to 2020-12-18; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2020-28169 being exploited?

CVE-2020-28169 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-2020-28169 affect?

CVE-2020-28169 affects td-agent-builder, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.0). The td-agent-builder plugin before 2020-12-18 for Fluentd allows attackers to gain privileges because the bin directory is writable by a user account, but a file in bin is executed as NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2020-28169?

Priority 51/100. High severity; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

This month

HIGH 7.0WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2020-28169 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.0) affecting td-agent-builder, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The td-agent-builder plugin before 2020-12-18 for Fluentd allows attackers to gain privileges because the bin directory is writable by a user account, but a file in bin is executed as NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

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	1.2% (top 33%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-732
Published	2020-12-24
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · td-agent-builder project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-12-24 15:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

td-agent-builder project td-agent-builder UPGRADE

Affected: < 2020-12-18

Fixed in: 2020-12-18

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy td-agent-builder || rpm -q td-agent-builder || td-agent-builder --version

2. UPGRADE to 2020-12-18 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade td-agent-builder

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade td-agent-builder

Note

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

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 10.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.0

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.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: Fluentd TD-agent plugin 4.0.1 - Insecure Folder Permission

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-2020-28169?

td-agent-builder: upgrade to 2020-12-18; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-28169 being exploited?

CVE-2020-28169 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-2020-28169 affect?

CVE-2020-28169 affects td-agent-builder, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.0). The td-agent-builder plugin before 2020-12-18 for Fluentd allows attackers to gain privileges because the bin directory is writable by a user account, but a file in bin is executed as NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM.

How urgent is CVE-2020-28169?

Priority 51/100. High severity; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

References

← Back to latest CVEs