How severe is CVE-2020-8597?

CVE-2020-8597 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-2020-8597 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 19% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-8597?

CVE-2020-8597 primarily affects Point-to-point Protocol Project Point-to-point Protocol. In total, 9 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-8597?

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-2020-8597 published?

CVE-2020-8597 was published on 2020-02-03 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-8597

CVE-2020-8597 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Point-to-point Protocol Project Point-to-point Protocol with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 19% places it in the 97th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-120.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 7.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 19% (97th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-120
Affected product: Point-to-point Protocol Project Point-to-point Protocol
Published: 2020-02-03
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

eap.c in pppd in ppp 2.4.2 through 2.4.8 has an rhostname buffer overflow in the eap_request and eap_response functions.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-8597?: eap.c in pppd in ppp 2.4.2 through 2.4.8 has an rhostname buffer overflow in the eap_request and eap_response functions.
How severe is CVE-2020-8597?: CVE-2020-8597 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-2020-8597 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 19% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-8597?: CVE-2020-8597 primarily affects Point-to-point Protocol Project Point-to-point Protocol. In total, 9 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-8597?: 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-2020-8597 published?: CVE-2020-8597 was published on 2020-02-03 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (9)

cpe:2.3:a:point-to-point_protocol_project:point-to-point_protocol:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:wago:pfc_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:10.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:19.04:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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