CVE-2020-16898

Name: CVE-2020-16898
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-10-16T23:15:13.633+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 8.8/10EPSS 9.69%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-16898 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 8.8/10 on the CVSS scale. A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Windows TCP/IP stack improperly handles ICMPv6 Router Advertisement packets. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the ability to execute code on the target server or client. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would have to send specially crafted ICMPv6 Router Advertisement packets to a remote Windows computer. The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how the Windows TCP/IP stack handles ICMPv6 Router Advertisement packets.. EPSS estimates a 9.69% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Windows TCP/IP stack improperly handles ICMPv6 Router Advertisement packets. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the ability to execute code on the target server or client. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would have to send specially crafted ICMPv6 Router Advertisement packets to a remote Windows computer. The update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how the Windows TCP/IP stack handles ICMPv6 Router Advertisement packets.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

8.8/10

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

EPSS Probability

9.69%

94.9th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Microsoft	Windows 10	1709
Microsoft	Windows 10	1803
Microsoft	Windows 10	1809
Microsoft	Windows 10	1903
Microsoft	Windows 10	1909
Microsoft	Windows 10	2004
Microsoft	Windows Server 2016	1903
Microsoft	Windows Server 2016	1909
Microsoft	Windows Server 2016	2004
Microsoft	Windows Server 2019	All versions

References

https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-16898Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-16898Patch, Vendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Oct 16, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-16898?

How severe is CVE-2020-16898?

CVE-2020-16898 has a CVSS score of 8.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 9.69% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-16898?

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-2020-16898?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST