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Vulnerabilities

Vulnerability · CVE-2019-20044

In Zsh before 5.8, attackers able to execute commands can regain privileges dropped by the --no-PRIVILEGED option.

Published Feb 24, 2020 · catalog updated Jun 17, 2026 · Apple

Check if you run it

No confirmed exploitation is on record for CVE-2019-20044. EPSS is 0.50%. Act only if a listed version of Apple is installed.

Gaps on this record

  • No vendor fix or required action is stored. Compare the linked advisory before you change production.
Severity
High7.8
Known exploitation
Not in CISA/VulnCheck KEV
EPSS
0.50%
Remediation
Version ranges on file
Affected products
cpe apple/ipados · cpe apple/iphone os · cpe apple/mac os x · cpe debian/debian linux · cpe zsh/zsh

In Zsh before 5.8, attackers able to execute commands can regain privileges dropped by the --no-PRIVILEGED option. Zsh fails to overwrite the saved uid, so the original privileges can be restored by executing MODULE_PATH=/dir/with/module zmodload with a module that calls setuid().

Are you affected?

Enter the version you run. The result uses only the ranges stored on this record.

The check returns affected, not affected, or incomplete. It does not guess a version that is missing from the record.

  • cpe apple/ipados< 13.5
  • cpe apple/iphone os< 13.5
  • cpe apple/mac os x10.13.6
  • cpe apple/mac os x< 10.13.6
  • cpe apple/mac os x< 10.14.6
  • cpe apple/mac os x< 10.15.5
  • cpe debian/debian linux8.0
  • cpe debian/debian linux9.0
  • cpe zsh/zsh< 5.8

How to fix CVE-2019-20044

What to do

Three questions, each answered from this record only. Confirm the vendor advisory before you patch.

Should you patch?

No confirmed exploitation is on record for CVE-2019-20044. EPSS is 0.50%. Act only if a listed version of Apple is installed.

Which versions are affected?

Compare what you have installed with apple/iphone os < 13.5; apple/mac os x 10.13.6; apple/mac os x < 10.13.6; apple/mac os x < 10.14.6. Compare the installed version with the linked vendor advisory before you change production.

What should an analyst verify?

CWE-273. EPSS 0.50%. There is no CISA KEV listing. No Exploit-DB or Metasploit reference is linked. Use the source links for the original advisory.

Code

The project this record applies to. Exploit listings stay in References.

Timeline

Detection, updates, and resolution for this record.

  1. Feb 24, 2020 · Apple Security Releases

    Detected

    In Zsh before 5.8, attackers able to execute commands can regain privileges dropped by the --no-PRIVILEGED option. Zsh fails to overwrite the saved uid, so the original privileges can be restored by executing MODULE_PATH=/dir/with/module zmodload with a module that calls setuid().

  2. Jun 17, 2026 · Apple Security Releases

    Updated

    In Zsh before 5.8, attackers able to execute commands can regain privileges dropped by the --no-PRIVILEGED option. Zsh fails to overwrite the saved uid, so the original privileges can be restored by executing MODULE_PATH=/dir/with/module zmodload with a module that calls setuid().

Sources

  • Apple Security ReleasesVendor advisoryCVE-2019-20044

    In Zsh before 5.8, attackers able to execute commands can regain privileges dropped by the --no-PRIVILEGED option. Zsh fails to overwrite the saved uid, so the original privileges can be restored by executing MODULE_PATH=/dir/with/module zmodload with a module that calls setuid().

    nvd.nist.gov
  • CVE.orgVulnerability recordCVE-2019-20044

    Official CVE identifier

    cve.org
  • FIRST EPSSExploitation probabilityCVE-2019-20044

    30-day exploitation probability 0.50%

    first.org

References

Freshness

Last verified in this catalog Oct 23, 2026. Significant claims (KEV, EPSS, CVSS, affected ranges) come from the source rows above — open the original publisher for the authoritative advisory.