CVE intelligence and bounded remediation

CVE-2020-15167 — Johnkerl Miller security vulnerability

High CVSS 8.6

In Miller (command line utility) using the configuration file support introduced in version 5.9.0, it is possible for an attacker to cause Miller to run arbitrary code by placing a malicious `.mlrrc` file in the working directory. See linked GitHub Security Advisory for complete details. A fix is ready and will be released as Miller 5.9.1.

Severity
High
CVSS
8.6 (3.1)
Published
2020-09-02
CISA KEV
Not currently listed
Ecosystem
software/application
Weaknesses
CWE-94, CWE-427

Affected products

  • johnkerl / miller / 5.9.0

Matched remediation archetype

Command, code, expression, and template injection

This catalog composition supplies bounded fallback guidance. Explicitly reviewed curated workflows load with the complete record below.

Check exposure

  • Trace untrusted values to process execution, interpreters, evaluators, template engines, dynamic imports, and administrative scripting features.
  • Determine whether the affected path is reachable across each trust boundary and which service account or host privilege it inherits.
  • Review configuration for optional execution features, unsafe compatibility modes, and shell invocation.

Remediate safely

  • Replace string-built commands or evaluated code with fixed operations and structured argument APIs that do not invoke a shell.
  • Use strict allowlists for operation identifiers and reject unexpected input before it reaches any interpreter.
  • Update the affected component and add inert regression tests covering metacharacters, encoding variants, and alternate request paths.

Authoritative sources

Complete CVE record and remediation plan

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