CVE-2020-15636

Name: CVE-2020-15636
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-08-20T01:17:13.493+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10EPSS 8.54%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-15636 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of NETGEAR R6400, R6700, R7000, R7850, R7900, R8000, RS400, and XR300 routers with firmware 1.0.4.84_10.0.58. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability. EPSS estimates a 8.54% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of NETGEAR R6400, R6700, R7000, R7850, R7900, R8000, RS400, and XR300 routers with firmware 1.0.4.84_10.0.58. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the check_ra service. A crafted raePolicyVersion in a RAE_Policy.json file can trigger an overflow of a fixed-length stack-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of root. Was ZDI-CAN-9852.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

8.54%

94.4th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-121

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Netgear	R6700 Firmware	< 1.0.4.98

References

https://kb.netgear.com/000062128/Security-Advisory-for-Pre-Authentication-Stack-Overflow-on-R6700v3-PSV-2020-0224Vendor Advisory
https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-937/Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://kb.netgear.com/000062128/Security-Advisory-for-Pre-Authentication-Stack-Overflow-on-R6700v3-PSV-2020-0224Vendor Advisory
https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-937/Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry

Timeline

Published: Aug 20, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-15636?

How severe is CVE-2020-15636?

CVE-2020-15636 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 8.54% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-15636?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2020-15636?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST