CVE-2020-8916

What it is

A memory leak in Openthread's wpantund versions up to commit 0e5d1601febb869f583e944785e5685c6c747be7, when used in an environment where wpanctl is directly interfacing with the control driver (eg: debug environments) can allow an attacker to crash the service (DoS). We recommend updating, or to restrict access in your debug environments.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine with a low-privilege account, but needs a user to act. High risk of service disruption.

Exploit odds

0.3% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2020-07-07 21:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 03:27 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.3% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 5.0 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2020-07-07 21:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 03:27 UTC

Exploit probability

0.3% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-401

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Openthread Wpantund ≤ 2020-05-28

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 5.0

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

Required

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

None

Availability

High

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2020-8916.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2020-8916. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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