CVE-2024-20720 is an OS command injection vulnerability identified in Adobe Commerce, a widely used e-commerce platform. The flaw arises from improper neutralization of special elements in operating system commands (CWE-78), which allows an attacker with high privileges to inject and execute arbitrary OS commands on the affected system. This vulnerability affects Adobe Commerce versions 2.4.6-p3, 2.4.5-p5, 2.4.4-p6, and earlier. The attack vector requires network access but does not require user interaction, increasing the risk of automated exploitation. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 9.1, reflecting critical severity due to the ease of exploitation (low attack complexity), no user interaction, and the potential for complete system compromise (confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts are all high). Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, the vulnerability’s nature and Adobe Commerce’s widespread use in online retail make it a high-value target for attackers. The vulnerability could allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the compromised service, potentially leading to data theft, service disruption, or full system takeover. The lack of currently available patches (no patch links provided) means organizations must monitor Adobe’s advisories closely and prepare for rapid deployment of fixes. Additionally, restricting administrative access and monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns can help mitigate risk until patches are applied.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-20720 is significant due to the widespread use of Adobe Commerce in e-commerce platforms across the continent. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution, allowing attackers to steal sensitive customer data, manipulate transaction records, disrupt online services, or deploy ransomware. This can result in financial losses, reputational damage, regulatory penalties under GDPR, and operational downtime. The vulnerability’s ability to be exploited without user interaction increases the risk of automated attacks and worm-like propagation within vulnerable networks. Organizations with high-value e-commerce operations or those handling large volumes of personal and payment data are particularly at risk. The critical severity and scope of impact necessitate urgent attention to prevent potential breaches that could affect both business continuity and customer trust.

1. Monitor Adobe’s official security advisories for the release of patches addressing CVE-2024-20720 and apply them immediately upon availability. 2. Until patches are available, restrict administrative and high-privilege access to Adobe Commerce instances to trusted personnel only, using network segmentation and strong access controls. 3. Implement Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious OS command injection patterns targeting Adobe Commerce endpoints. 4. Conduct thorough logging and monitoring of system commands executed by Adobe Commerce services to detect anomalous activity early. 5. Employ network-level controls to limit exposure of Adobe Commerce management interfaces to the internet, restricting access to known IP addresses or VPNs. 6. Regularly audit and update all third-party plugins or extensions used with Adobe Commerce, as they may introduce additional vulnerabilities. 7. Educate internal security teams on the specifics of this vulnerability to enhance incident response readiness. 8. Prepare incident response plans specifically for web application compromise scenarios involving OS command injection.