CVE-2020-29050: SphinxSearch in Sphinx Technologies Sphinx through 3.1.1 allows directory traversal (in conjunction with CVE-2

Q: How do I fix CVE-2020-29050?

sphinx: upgrade to newer than 3.1.1; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2020-29050 being exploited?

CVE-2020-29050 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-2020-29050 affect?

CVE-2020-29050 affects sphinx, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). SphinxSearch in Sphinx Technologies Sphinx through 3.1.1 allows directory traversal (in conjunction with CVE-2019-14511) because the mysql client can be used for CALL SNIPPETS and load_file operations on a full pathname (e.g., a file in the

Q: How urgent is CVE-2020-29050?

Priority 62/100. High severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

This week

HIGH 7.5REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2020-29050 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting sphinx, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

SphinxSearch in Sphinx Technologies Sphinx through 3.1.1 allows directory traversal (in conjunction with CVE-2019-14511) because the mysql client can be used for CALL SNIPPETS and load_file operations on a full pathname (e.g., a file in the /etc directory). NOTE: this is unrelated to CMUSphinx.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.2% (top 18%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-22
Published	2022-01-10
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · sphinxsearch

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-01-10 14:10 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:11 UTCUpdated Record last modified

sphinxsearch sphinx UPGRADE

Affected: <= 3.1.1

Fixed in: newer than 3.1.1

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 3.1.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade sphinx

Note

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

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 9.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.0

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.

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-2020-29050?

sphinx: upgrade to newer than 3.1.1; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-29050 being exploited?

CVE-2020-29050 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-2020-29050 affect?

CVE-2020-29050 affects sphinx, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). SphinxSearch in Sphinx Technologies Sphinx through 3.1.1 allows directory traversal (in conjunction with CVE-2019-14511) because the mysql client can be used for CALL SNIPPETS and load_file operations on a full pathname (e.g., a file in the

How urgent is CVE-2020-29050?

Priority 62/100. High severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

MySQL vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

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References

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