CVE-2020-7729: The package grunt before 1.3.0 are vulnerable to Arbitrary Code Execution due to the default usage of the func

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HIGH 7.1WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2020-7729 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.1) affecting grunt, debian linux, ubuntu linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The package grunt before 1.3.0 are vulnerable to Arbitrary Code Execution due to the default usage of the function load() instead of its secure replacement safeLoad() of the package js-yaml inside grunt.file.readYAML.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.1 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	2.3% (top 17%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-1188
Published	2020-09-03
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Snyk · Vendor: canonical · debian · gruntjs

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-09-03 09:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:25 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gruntjs grunt UPGRADE

Affected: < 1.3.0

Fixed in: 1.3.0

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

npm ls grunt

2. UPGRADE to 1.3.0

npm install grunt@">=1.3.0"

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.

canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE

Affected: 18.04

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 18.04

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-2020-7729?

grunt: upgrade to 1.3.0; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-7729 being exploited?

CVE-2020-7729 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-2020-7729 affect?

CVE-2020-7729 affects grunt, debian linux, ubuntu linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.1). The package grunt before 1.3.0 are vulnerable to Arbitrary Code Execution due to the default usage of the function load() instead of its secure replacement safeLoad() of the package js-yaml inside grunt.file.readYAML.

How urgent is CVE-2020-7729?

Priority 56/100. High severity; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Ubuntu vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2022-1537 HIGH 7.0 UPGRADE file.copy operations in GruntJS are vulnerable to a TOCTOU race condition leading to arbitrary file write in G
CVE-2022-0436 MEDIUM 5.5 UPGRADE Path Traversal in GitHub repository gruntjs/grunt prior to 1.5.2.

References

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