CVE-2020-5505: Freelancy v1.0.0 allows remote command execution via the "file":"data:application/x-php;base64 substring (in c

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CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2020-5505 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting freelancy. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Freelancy v1.0.0 allows remote command execution via the "file":"data:application/x-php;base64 substring (in conjunction with "type":"application/x-php"} to the /api/files/ URI.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	44.3% (top 1%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-78
Published	2020-01-14
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: vaaip

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-01-14 19:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:21 UTCUpdated Record last modified

vaaip freelancy DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.0.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.0.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison freelancy sudo apt install freelancy=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold freelancy

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list freelancy sudo dnf downgrade freelancy-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add freelancy

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.

Exact fixes by distribution

A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.

Fedora 46 · root · FIXED · 6.40.04-7.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-7329868400 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-7329868400

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-2020-5505?

freelancy: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-5505 being exploited?

CVE-2020-5505 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-2020-5505 affect?

CVE-2020-5505 affects freelancy. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Freelancy v1.0.0 allows remote command execution via the "file":"data:application/x-php;base64 substring (in conjunction with "type":"application/x-php"} to the /api/files/ URI.

How urgent is CVE-2020-5505?

Priority 69/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

PHP vulnerabilities

References

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