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CVE-2020-36230: A flaw was discovered in OpenLDAP before 2.4.57 leading in an assertion failure in slapd in the X.509 DN parsi

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HIGH 7.5REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEUPGRADE

CVE-2020-36230 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting openldap, debian linux, mac os x. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A flaw was discovered in OpenLDAP before 2.4.57 leading in an assertion failure in slapd in the X.509 DN parsing in decode.c ber_next_element, resulting in denial of service.

Why this priority

  • High severity
  • EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited
  • Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
  • On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score7.5 (High)
Attack vectorNetwork (remote)
Attack complexityLow
Privileges neededNone
User interactionNone
EPSS exploit chance12.1% (top 4%)
CISA exploited listNo
WeaknessCWE-617
Published2021-01-26
Last modified2026-10-14
Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: apache · apple · debian · openldap

Share: LinkedIn · X · Reddit

Last updated 2026-10-14 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

openldap openldap UPGRADE
Affected: < 2.4.57
Fixed in: 2.4.57
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy openldap || rpm -q openldap || openldap --version
2. UPGRADE to 2.4.57 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade openldap
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade openldap
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
debian debian linux MITIGATE
Affected: 9.0 · 10.0
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.
apple mac os x UPGRADE
Affected: >= 10.14.0 and < 10.14.6 · 10.14.6 · 10.14.6 security_update_2019-004 · 10.14.6 security_update_2019-005 · 10.14.6 security_update_2019-006 · 10.14.6 security_update_2019-007 · 10.14.6 security_update_2020-001 · 10.14.6 security_update_2020-002
Fixed in: 10.14.6
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.14.0
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.
apple macos UPGRADE
Affected: >= 11.1 and < 11.4
Fixed in: 11.4
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 11.1
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.
apache bookkeeper DOWNGRADE
Affected: 4.12.1
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.12.1
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy bookkeeper || rpm -q bookkeeper || bookkeeper --version
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.12.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison bookkeeper sudo apt install bookkeeper=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.12.1> sudo apt-mark hold bookkeeper
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list bookkeeper sudo dnf downgrade bookkeeper-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.12.1> sudo dnf versionlock add bookkeeper
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-2020-36230?

openldap: upgrade to 2.4.57; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; mac os x: upgrade to 10.14.6. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-36230 being exploited?

CVE-2020-36230 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-2020-36230 affect?

CVE-2020-36230 affects openldap, debian linux, mac os x. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). A flaw was discovered in OpenLDAP before 2.4.57 leading in an assertion failure in slapd in the X.509 DN parsing in decode.c ber_next_element, resulting in denial of service.

How urgent is CVE-2020-36230?

Priority 60/100. High severity; EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities · macOS vulnerabilities · OpenLDAP vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

References

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