HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2020-21016
CRITICAL

CVE-2020-21016

NVD-CWE-noinfoPublished: October 31, 2022· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

9.8
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

D-Link DIR-846 devices with firmware 100A35 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code as root via HNAP1/control/SetGuestWLanSettings.php.

NVD Source

Risk Analysis

D-Link DIR-846 devices are vulnerable to remote code execution via a specific PHP script that lacks proper authentication. This allows an attacker to gain root access, representing a critical security failure.

No public exploit is known, and it is not in the CISA KEV.

Recommended Action

Update the device firmware to the latest available version and disable remote management interfaces.

Generated by the CTIWATCH analysis pipeline from this CVE's metadata (CVSS, EPSS, KEV status, exploit intelligence). Verify against vendor advisories before acting.

Technical Analysis

CVE-2020-21016 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

The vulnerability requires no privileges and no user interaction, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns and worm-like propagation.

A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 9.8.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.None
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected Vendors & Products

dlink2 product(s)
dir-846 firmwaredir-846
Source: NVD CPE · 2 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.

Official Patches & Advisories

ADVISORYhttps://github.com/dahua966/Routers-vuls/blob/master/DIR-846/GuestWLanSetting_RCE.md
ADVISORYhttps://www.dlink.com/en/security-bulletin/
ADVISORYhttps://github.com/dahua966/Routers-vuls/blob/master/DIR-846/GuestWLanSetting_RCE.md
ADVISORYhttps://www.dlink.com/en/security-bulletin/

All References (4)

→
https://github.com/dahua966/Routers-vuls/blob/master/DIR-846/GuestWLanSetting_RCE.mdExploit · Third Party Advisory
→
https://www.dlink.com/en/security-bulletin/Vendor Advisory
→
https://github.com/dahua966/Routers-vuls/blob/master/DIR-846/GuestWLanSetting_RCE.mdExploit · Third Party Advisory
→
https://www.dlink.com/en/security-bulletin/Vendor Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2020-21016
CVSS Score9.8 / 10
SeverityCRITICAL
WeaknessNVD-CWE-noinfo
CISA KEVNo
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedOct 31, 2022

Related CVEs (NVD-CWE-noinfo)

CVE-2011-3167
10.0
CVE-2013-4822
10.0
CVE-2009-1006
10.0
CVE-2005-3463
10.0
CVE-2013-2333
10.0
CVE-2013-2471
10.0

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2020-21016 in threat intel feeds
  • →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWatch. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.
← All Vulnerabilities·Search for CVE-2020-21016·NVD