How severe is CVE-2020-35231?

CVE-2020-35231 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over an adjacent network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-35231 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (62nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-35231?

CVE-2020-35231 primarily affects Netgear Gs116e Firmware. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-35231?

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-2020-35231 published?

CVE-2020-35231 was published on 2021-03-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-35231

CVE-2020-35231 is a high-severity vulnerability in Netgear Gs116e Firmware with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. 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-287.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
CVSS v2: 8.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (62nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-287
Affected product: Netgear Gs116e Firmware
Published: 2021-03-10
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The NSDP protocol implementation on NETGEAR JGS516PE/GS116Ev2 v2.6.0.43 devices was affected by an authentication issue that allows an attacker to bypass access controls and obtain full control of the device.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-35231?: The NSDP protocol implementation on NETGEAR JGS516PE/GS116Ev2 v2.6.0.43 devices was affected by an authentication issue that allows an attacker to bypass access controls and obtain full control of the device.
How severe is CVE-2020-35231?: CVE-2020-35231 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over an adjacent network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-35231 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (62nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-35231?: CVE-2020-35231 primarily affects Netgear Gs116e Firmware. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-35231?: 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-2020-35231 published?: CVE-2020-35231 was published on 2021-03-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://research.nccgroup.com/2021/03/08/technical-advisory-multiple-vulnerabilities-in-netgear-prosafe-plus-jgs516pe-gs116ev2-switches/

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:o:netgear:gs116e_firmware:2.6.0.43:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:netgear:jgs516pe_firmware:2.6.0.43:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Netgear Gs116e Firmware

CVE-2020-35229 — High (CVSS 8.8): The authentication token required to execute NSDP write requests on NETGEAR JGS516PE/GS116Ev2 v2.6.0.43 devices is not…
CVE-2020-35223 — High (CVSS 8.8): The CSRF protection mechanism implemented in the web administration panel on NETGEAR JGS516PE/GS116Ev2 v2.6.0.43…
CVE-2020-35221 — High (CVSS 8.8): The hashing algorithm implemented for NSDP password authentication on NETGEAR JGS516PE/GS116Ev2 v2.6.0.43 devices was…
CVE-2020-35801 — High (CVSS 8.3): Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by incorrect configuration of security settings. This affects JGS516PE before…
CVE-2020-35782 — High (CVSS 8.1): Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by lack of access control at the function level. This affects JGS516PE before…
CVE-2020-35227 — High (CVSS 7.2): A buffer overflow vulnerability in the access control section on NETGEAR JGS516PE/GS116Ev2 v2.6.0.43 devices (in the…

All CVEs affecting Netgear Gs116e Firmware →

Other CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities

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CVE-2026-59500 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): CWE-287: Improper Authentication
CVE-2024-27253 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): IBM DOORS Next 7.0.3 through 7.0.3 Interim Fix 018 could allow an authenticated user to bypass security logic to…
CVE-2026-56162 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure SQL Database allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
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Browse all CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities →