MEDIUM

CVE-2018-20685

CVSS v3

5.3

MEDIUM

EPSS Score

3.7 %

exploit probability, as of 2026-10-18

CISA KEV

known exploited

Exploitation

—

SSVC status

Get an alert for each new CVE published for openssh.

Set up CVE WatchFree account · no credit card

Affected and fixed versions

Packages from OSV.dev and products from the vendors' CSAF advisories.

version not verifiedVersions not verified: read as OSV.dev and the vendors publish them, not checked against each vendor's release list.

Vendor advisories

CVE-2018-20685 Red Hat Product Security138 products fixed · 18 known affected
openssh: scp client improper directory name validation
openssh as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 · openssh as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 · openssh-askpass as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
ICSA-22-349-21 CISA5 known affected
Siemens SCALANCE X-200RNA Switch Devices
SCALANCE X204RNA (HSR) (6GK5204-0BA00-2MB2) · SCALANCE X204RNA (PRP) (6GK5204-0BA00-2KB2) · SCALANCE X204RNA EEC (HSR) (6GK5204-0BS00-2NA3)
SSA-412672 Siemens ProductCERT5 known affected
SSA-412672: Multiple OpenSSL and OpenSSH Vulnerabilities in SCALANCE X-200RNA Switch Devices before V3.2.7
SCALANCE X204RNA (HSR) (6GK5204-0BA00-2MB2) · SCALANCE X204RNA (PRP) (6GK5204-0BA00-2KB2) · SCALANCE X204RNA EEC (HSR) (6GK5204-0BS00-2NA3)
RHSA-2019:3702 Red Hat Product Security105 products fixed
Red Hat Security Advisory: openssh security, bug fix, and enhancement update

Full record on NVD

Description

In OpenSSH 7.9, scp.c in the scp client allows remote SSH servers to bypass intended access restrictions via the filename of . or an empty filename. The impact is modifying the permissions of the target directory on the client side.

Technical details

Published: 2019-01-10

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2018-20685?

Is CVE-2018-20685 actively exploited?

Active exploitation of CVE-2018-20685 has not been confirmed. Its EPSS score was 3.7% on 2026-10-18, the estimated probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What is the CVSS score for CVE-2018-20685?

CVE-2018-20685 has a CVSS v3 base score of 5.3 (MEDIUM severity).

Running openssh? Hear about its next vulnerability

CVE Watch matches each new CVE to the vendors and products you list (vendor and product, not the version) and puts it in your alerts with its KEV and EPSS status.

Get alerts for this product CISA KEV additions, October 2026 Search CVEs

Already have an account? Open CVE WatchNo credit card required · No monthly cap on website lookups · 250 API requests/month

Go further

Following what attackers exploit right now? The CISA KEV additions of the month, with their patch deadlines.
Running this software? CVE Watch alerts you to new vulnerabilities in your products.

Related vulnerabilities

Same product first, then the same vendor advisory and the same publication week.

Back to CVE Database