# What is CVE-2020-17408? > CVE-2020-17408 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) in Expresscluster X from Nec, published on 10 September 2020. It is not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today. The latest forecast puts its chance of use in the next 30 days at 69%. If you run an affected version, plan in the vendor’s fix. Canonical page: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/what-is/cve-2020-17408 ## At a glance - **Verdict:** Fix this soon. Not confirmed as exploited yet, but serious or likely enough that it should not wait for a quiet month. - **Precursor Intelligence risk score:** 54 out of 100 (Medium); action: Plan remediation. Kept up to date as the evidence changes. - **Severity:** High (CVSS 7.5 out of 10) - **Known to be exploited:** No, not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today - **Chance of use in the next 30 days:** 69% (latest exploit-likelihood forecast) - **Published:** 10 September 2020 - **Record last updated:** 15 September 2020 - **Main product:** Expresscluster X from Nec - **Affected products:** 1 ## What is CVE-2020-17408? In plain terms It can be attacked from anywhere on the internet without logging in, and nobody has to click anything. If it works, the attacker can read data. ### The official description This vulnerability allows remote attackers to disclose sensitive information on affected installations of NEC ExpressCluster 4.1. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the clpwebmc executable. Due to the improper restriction of XML External Entity (XXE) references, a specially-crafted document specifying a URI causes the XML parser to access the URI and embed the contents back into the XML document for further processing. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to disclose information in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-10801. ### What kind of flaw is it? - CWE-611: Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference ### How an attack on it works - Where an attacker can be: Anywhere on the internet - How hard it is to pull off: Easy: no special conditions - Login needed first: No login needed - Does someone have to click: No, nobody has to do anything - What an attacker gets: Can read data Severity vector: `CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N` ## Is CVE-2020-17408 being exploited? Not that we know of It is not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today. The latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at 69%. That can change at any time, which is why we keep watching. Exploit likelihood over the last 7 days: 69%, 69%, 69%, 69%, 69%, 69%, 69%. ### Timeline - 10 September 2020: Published - 15 September 2020: Record last updated - 16 June 2026: Exploit likelihood jumped ### How Precursor Intelligence ranks it CVE-2020-17408 scores **54 out of 100 (Medium)**, with the action "Plan remediation". Every published flaw gets a risk score from 0 to 100, kept up to date as the evidence changes. Four things go into the score, from the one that counts most to the ones that count less: - Evidence it is being exploited: biggest factor - How severe it is: strong factor - How widely exposed it is: smaller factor - Threat activity around it: smaller factor 85 and above is Critical. Anything confirmed as exploited is always marked for an emergency patch, whatever its score. When this flaw matches software you track, it lands in your list with its score and the reasons behind it. ## Who is affected by CVE-2020-17408? The published record lists 1 product. - [Expresscluster X](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/nec/expresscluster_x) by [Nec](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/nec) (Application): 4.1, 4.2 ## How do I fix CVE-2020-17408? 1. **Check whether you run it.** Compare your versions with the affected products above. Not sure what you run? Precursor Intelligence can work it out from your public website, or you can pick it from a list. 2. **Apply the vendor’s fix.** Install the update named in the vendor’s advisory. We’ve put the advisory first in the list. 3. **If you can’t patch today.** Follow any mitigation the vendor publishes, and limit who can reach the affected system from the internet until the update is in. 4. **Keep an eye on it.** Track the product and we tell you as soon as we spot this flaw on the list of exploited flaws, or a jump in its exploit likelihood. ### References - [support.nec.co.jp](https://www.support.nec.co.jp/en/View.aspx?id=9510100319) (Patch, Vendor advisory) - [zerodayinitiative.com](https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1102/) (Third-party advisory, Vulnerability database) ## Questions ### What is CVE-2020-17408? CVE-2020-17408 is a high-severity flaw in Expresscluster X from Nec, published on 10 September 2020. It can be attacked from anywhere on the internet without logging in, and nobody has to click anything. If it works, the attacker can read data. ### How serious is CVE-2020-17408? It scores 7.5 out of 10 on the CVSS severity scale, which is high. Our risk score for CVE-2020-17408 is 54 out of 100, which is Medium. Its action is "Plan remediation". Not confirmed as exploited yet, but serious or likely enough that it should not wait for a quiet month. ### Is CVE-2020-17408 being exploited? It is not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today. The latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at 69%. That can change at any time, which is why we keep watching. ### Which versions does CVE-2020-17408 affect? For Expresscluster X from Nec: 4.1, 4.2. ### How do I fix CVE-2020-17408? Install the update the vendor names in its advisory, linked first under "How do I fix" on this page. If you can't patch today, follow the vendor's mitigation and limit who can reach the affected system from the internet. ## Does CVE-2020-17408 affect you? 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