How severe is CVE-2020-15636?

CVE-2020-15636 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-15636 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 9% (94th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-15636?

CVE-2020-15636 affects Netgear R6700 Firmware. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-15636?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2020-15636 published?

CVE-2020-15636 was published on 2020-08-20 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-15636

CVE-2020-15636 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Netgear R6700 Firmware with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-121.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 10.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 9% (94th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-121
Affected product: Netgear R6700 Firmware
Published: 2020-08-20
Last modified: 2026-06-17

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.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-15636?: 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.
How severe is CVE-2020-15636?: CVE-2020-15636 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-15636 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 9% (94th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-15636?: CVE-2020-15636 affects Netgear R6700 Firmware. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-15636?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2020-15636 published?: CVE-2020-15636 was published on 2020-08-20 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:o:netgear:r6700_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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