# CVE-2020-7980: Aptus Web - RCE

> Live exploitation tracking for CVE-2020-7980 by the CrowdSec Live Exploit Tracker, built from real-world attack data crowdsourced from CrowdSec's global network.

Page: https://tracker.crowdsec.net/cves/CVE-2020-7980

## Key facts

- **Exploitation phase:** Limited Exploitation. The vulnerability is known but shows very limited attacker interest or exploitation activity.
- **CVSS score:** 9.8
- **Public exploit available:** Yes
- **Affected products:** Intelliantech Aptus Web
- **Weaknesses:** CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection'))

## Description

Intellian Aptus Web 1.24 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands via the Q field within JSON data to the cgi-bin/libagent.cgi URI. NOTE: a valid sid cookie for a login to the intellian default account might be needed.

## CrowdSec analysis

[CVE-2020-7980](https://euvd.enisa.europa.eu/vulnerability/CVE-2020-7980) describes a remote code execution vulnerability in Intellian Aptus Web 1.24, where attackers can execute arbitrary operating system commands by exploiting the Q field in JSON data sent to the cgi-bin/libagent.cgi endpoint. Successful exploitation may require a valid session cookie, potentially allowing attackers with access to the default account to fully compromise the affected system. This vulnerability could be leveraged for complete system takeover, data theft, or further network intrusion.

CrowdSec has been tracking this vulnerability and its exploits since 30th of June 2025.

CrowdSec network observations suggest that most exploitation of CVE-2020-7980 involves focused reconnaissance to identify viable targets. Attackers typically tailor their campaigns based on system exposure and configuration. It is unlikely that a given attack is accidental.
CrowdSec network telemetry also shows that exploitation of CVE-2020-7980 has significantly declined over the past week. Attack volumes are well below the long-term average, suggesting attackers are rapidly losing interest. The vulnerability appears to be falling out of active use across most threat landscapes.

Attackers exploit this vulnerability by sending POST requests to `/cgi-bin/libagent.cgi?type=J`, attempting remote code execution via crafted JSON payloads.

## Timeline

- 2020-01-25: CVE Published. CVE-2020-7980 is published to NVD.
- 2025-06-30: Rule Released. CrowdSec releases a rule to detect CVE-2020-7980 exploitation attempts against the CrowdSec Network.
- 2025-07-07: CrowdSec First Seen. CrowdSec observes in-the-wild exploitation of CVE-2020-7980 for the first time.

## References

- https://github.com/Xh4H/Satellian-CVE-2020-7980
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/156143/Satellian-1.12-Remote-Code-Execution.html
- https://sku11army.blogspot.com/2020/01/intellian-aptus-web-rce-intellian.html

## Live exploitation data

The [Live Exploit Tracker page](https://tracker.crowdsec.net/cves/CVE-2020-7980) follows observed exploitation activity for CVE-2020-7980. [Request an API key](https://tracker.crowdsec.net/request-api-key) for full access to its exploitation timeline, attacking IP addresses and blocklists.