---
title: "CVE-2019-20478\n    | Ubuntu"
description: Ubuntu is an open source software operating system that runs from the
  desktop, to the cloud, to all your internet connected things.
url: https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2019-20478?format=md
keywords: index, follow
---

# CVE-2019-20478

Publication date 19 February 2020

Last updated 11 July 2025

---

Ubuntu priority

**Medium**

[Why this priority?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#priority )

## Cvss 3 Severity Score

**9.8 · Critical**

[Score breakdown](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2019-20478?format=md#impact-score)

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## Description

In ruamel.yaml through 0.16.7, the load method allows remote code execution
if the application calls this method with an untrusted argument. In other
words, this issue affects developers who are unaware of the need to use
methods such as safe\_load in these use cases.

## Status

Show unmaintained releases

| Package | Ubuntu Release | Status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ruamel.yaml | 26.04 LTS resolute | Needs evaluation |
| 25.10 questing | Ignored end of life, was needs-triage |
| 25.04 plucky | Ignored end of life, was needs-triage |
| 24.10 oracular | Ignored end of life, was needs-triage |
| 24.04 LTS noble | Needs evaluation |
| 23.10 mantic | Ignored end of life, was needs-triage |
| 23.04 lunar | Ignored end of life, was needs-triage |
| 22.10 kinetic | Ignored end of life, was needs-triage |
| 22.04 LTS jammy | Needs evaluation |
| 21.10 impish | Ignored end of life |
| 21.04 hirsute | Ignored end of life |
| 20.10 groovy | Ignored end of life |
| 20.04 LTS focal | Needs evaluation |
| 19.10 eoan | Ignored end of life |
| 18.04 LTS bionic | Needs evaluation |
| 16.04 LTS xenial | Needs evaluation |
| 14.04 LTS trusty | Not in release |

---

* [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security)
* [What do statuses mean?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#statuses)

## Severity score breakdown

CVSS version:
CVSS v3.0

**Base score**

9.8 · Critical

* Base metrics

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Attack vector | Network |
  | Attack complexity | Low |
  | Privileges required | None |
  | User interaction | None |
  | Scope | Unchanged |
  | Confidentiality impact | High |
  | Integrity impact | High |
  | Availability impact | High |
* Scores

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Base score | 9.8 · Critical |
  | Exploitability score | - |
  | Impact score | - |

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

## References

* [MITRE](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2019-20478)
* [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-20478)
* [Launchpad](https://launchpad.net/bugs/cve/CVE-2019-20478)
* [Debian](https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2019-20478)

### Other references

* <https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/47655>
* <https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2019-20478>