gnuplot 5.5 plotrequest buffer overflow

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.6$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in gnuplot 5.5. This vulnerability affects the function plotrequest. The manipulation results in buffer overflow. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2020-25969. There is not any exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in gnuplot 5.5. It has been classified as critical. Affected is the function plotrequest. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a buffer overflow vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-120. The product copies an input buffer to an output buffer without verifying that the size of the input buffer is less than the size of the output buffer, leading to a buffer overflow. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

gnuplot v5.5 was discovered to contain a buffer overflow via the function plotrequest().

The weakness was released 07/05/2023. The advisory is shared for download at sourceforge.net. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2020-25969 since 09/24/2020. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 240563 (Ubuntu 14.04 LTS / 16.04 LTS / 18.04 LTS / 20.04 LTS : Gnuplot vulnerabilities (USN-7589-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (240563). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

Name

Version

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.6

VulDB Base Score: 5.5
VulDB Temp Score: 5.5
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 9.8
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Buffer overflow
CWE: CWE-120 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 240563
Nessus Name: Ubuntu 14.04 LTS / 16.04 LTS / 18.04 LTS / 20.04 LTS : Gnuplot vulnerabilities (USN-7589-1)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: no mitigation known
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

09/24/2020 🔍
07/05/2023 +1014 days 🔍
07/05/2023 +0 days 🔍
08/14/2025 +771 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: sourceforge.net
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2020-25969 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2020-25969
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-233016

Entryinfo

Created: 07/05/2023 20:26
Updated: 08/14/2025 16:21
Changes: 07/05/2023 20:26 (36), 07/23/2023 14:19 (11), 06/26/2025 18:42 (17), 08/14/2025 16:21 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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