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Vulnerability record · CVE-2020-13151 · published 5 August 2020

CVE-2020-13151: Aerospike Community Edition unauthenticated UDF OS command execution

Aerospike · Aerospike Server

Aerospike Community Edition 4.9.0.5 permits unauthenticated submission and execution of Lua user-defined functions through database queries. The intended restriction on os.execute() is insufficient, so a crafted UDF can run arbitrary OS commands on every node in the cluster. This matters because the database is remotely reachable and the flaw gives full command execution without credentials.

9.8 CVSS 3.1 Critical EPSS 87% · top 0.3% CWE-78 · OS command injection
9.8CVSS 3.1 base score, v2 10.0
87%EPSS exploitation probability, 30 days
NoNot in CISA KEV
1Affected product versions listed by NVD
12References, 8 tagged exploit
17 Jun 2026Last modified by NVD

Description

Aerospike Community Edition 4.9.0.5 allows for unauthenticated submission and execution of user-defined functions (UDFs), written in Lua, as part of a database query. It attempts to restrict code execution by disabling os.execute() calls, but this is insufficient. Anyone with network access can use a crafted UDF to execute arbitrary OS commands on all nodes of the cluster at the permission level of the user running the Aerospike service.

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Automated analysis

Generated by VULONE's analysis model from the NVD record, CISA KEV and EPSS data on 18 September 2026. Confidence: high.

critical priorityUnauthenticated remote code execution across all cluster nodes with a critical CVSS score and very high EPSS probability.

What it is

Aerospike Community Edition 4.9.0.5 permits unauthenticated submission and execution of Lua user-defined functions through database queries. The intended restriction on os.execute() is insufficient, so a crafted UDF can run arbitrary OS commands on every node in the cluster. This matters because the database is remotely reachable and the flaw gives full command execution without credentials.

Impact

An attacker gains arbitrary OS command execution on all cluster nodes at the privilege level of the user running the Aerospike service, leading to full compromise of confidentiality, integrity and availability.

Attack surface

Reachable over the network via the database query interface; the CVSS vector shows no privileges or user interaction required. Anyone with network access to the service can submit the malicious UDF.

Exploitation

Not listed in CISA KEV, but EPSS is very high (0.86749, 99.7th percentile) and multiple references are tagged Exploit, including public proof-of-concept write-ups.

What to do

  • Upgrade Aerospike to a fixed release; vendor release notes reference 5.1.0.3, so patch to that or later.
  • Enable and enforce Aerospike access control so UDF submission requires authentication and appropriate roles.
  • Restrict network access to the Aerospike service port to trusted hosts only.
  • Run the Aerospike service under a low-privilege account to limit command execution impact.
  • Audit and remove unnecessary or untrusted UDFs from the cluster.

Detection

  • Monitor for unexpected UDF registration or execution events in Aerospike logs.
  • Alert on database query traffic from untrusted or unexpected source addresses.
  • Watch for child processes spawned by the Aerospike service, especially shell or command interpreters.
  • Review file system and process telemetry on cluster nodes for commands consistent with UDF-based execution.

This assessment is produced automatically and is not human-reviewed. Verify against the vendor advisory before acting on it.

Affected products

1 vulnerable configurations from NVD's CPE data, grouped by vendor and product.

References

LinkTags
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/160106/Aerospike-Database-5.1.0.3-Remote-Command-Execution.html ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/160451/Aerospike-Database-UDF-Lua-Code-Execution.html ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
https://b4ny4n.github.io/network-pentest/2020/08/01/cve-2020-13151-poc-aerospike.html ExploitThird Party Advisory
https://www.aerospike.com/docs/operations/configure/security/access-control/index.html#create-users-and-assign-roles ExploitVendor Advisory
https://www.aerospike.com/download/server/notes.html#5.1.0.3 Release NotesVendor Advisory
https://www.aerospike.com/enterprise/download/server/notes.html#5.1.0.3 Release NotesVendor Advisory
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/160106/Aerospike-Database-5.1.0.3-Remote-Command-Execution.html ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/160451/Aerospike-Database-UDF-Lua-Code-Execution.html ExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
https://b4ny4n.github.io/network-pentest/2020/08/01/cve-2020-13151-poc-aerospike.html ExploitThird Party Advisory
https://www.aerospike.com/docs/operations/configure/security/access-control/index.html#create-users-and-assign-roles ExploitVendor Advisory
https://www.aerospike.com/download/server/notes.html#5.1.0.3 Release NotesVendor Advisory
https://www.aerospike.com/enterprise/download/server/notes.html#5.1.0.3 Release NotesVendor Advisory

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Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2020-13151), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-09-27). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.