How severe is CVE-2020-15862?

CVE-2020-15862 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-15862 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (30th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-15862?

CVE-2020-15862 primarily affects Net-snmp. In total, 10 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-15862?

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

When was CVE-2020-15862 published?

CVE-2020-15862 was published on 2020-08-20 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-15862

CVE-2020-15862 is a high-severity vulnerability in Net-snmp with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. 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-269.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (30th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-269
Affected product: Net-snmp
Published: 2020-08-20
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Net-SNMP through 5.8 has Improper Privilege Management because SNMP WRITE access to the EXTEND MIB provides the ability to run arbitrary commands as root.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-15862?: Net-SNMP through 5.8 has Improper Privilege Management because SNMP WRITE access to the EXTEND MIB provides the ability to run arbitrary commands as root.
How severe is CVE-2020-15862?: CVE-2020-15862 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-15862 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (30th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-15862?: CVE-2020-15862 primarily affects Net-snmp. In total, 10 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-15862?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2020-15862 published?: CVE-2020-15862 was published on 2020-08-20 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (10)

cpe:2.3:a:net-snmp:net-snmp:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:12.04:*:*:*:-:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:14.04:*:*:*:esm:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04:*:*:*:esm:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:18.04:*:*:*:esm:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:20.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netapp:cloud_backup:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netapp:hci_management_node:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netapp:smi-s_provider:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:netapp:solidfire:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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