Buffer overflow in Code::blocks
CVE-2020-37040
Code Blocks 17.12 contains a local buffer overflow vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by crafting a malicious file name with Unicode characters. Attackers can trigger the vulnerability by pasting a specially crafted payload into the file name field during project creation, potentially executing system commands like calc.exe.
Vulnerability class: Buffer Overflow
Published · last modified .
CVSS v3 metric
CVSS v3 base score 8.4 (High). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
EPSS exploit prediction
EPSS: 0.002 (10.3th percentile), scored .
Very low probability of exploitation in the next 30 days; routine patching cadence is appropriate. 10th percentile — 10.3% of CVEs in the catalogue have a lower EPSS than this one. How to read EPSS.
EPSS over last 30 days · oldest: 0.002 · newest: 0.002 · change: +0.000
Affected products
- Code::blocks — versions 17.12
Weakness classification (CWE)
References
- ExploitDB-48594 (exploit)
- Code Blocks Official Website (product)
- Code Blocks SourceForge Page (product)
- VulnCheck Advisory: Code Blocks 17.12 - 'File Name' Local Buffer Overflow (third-party-advisory)
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2020-37040?
- CVE-2020-37040 is a high-severity vulnerability in Code::blocks, classified under Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input (Classic Buffer Overflow). CVSS score: 8.4/10. Published 2026-01-30.
- How severe is CVE-2020-37040?
- High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 8.4 out of 10.