CVE-2020-16152Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Root code execution via log poisoning and traversal

Published Nov 14, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Remote code execution in Extreme Networks Aerohive HiveOS and IQ Engine through 10.0r8a allows remote attackers to run PHP as root. The NetConfig UI writes PHP supplied through an HTTP request into /tmp/messages, then includes the poisoned log through traversal enabled by PHP 5 string truncation. Unauthenticated network access to the administrative web interface is sufficient; exploitation grants root execution and can hang the application while a shell remains open.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability35.52%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Remote code execution in Extreme Networks Aerohive HiveOS and IQ Engine through 10.0r8a allows remote attackers to run PHP as root. The NetConfig UI writes PHP supplied through an HTTP request into /tmp/messages, then includes the poisoned log through traversal enabled by PHP 5 string truncation. Unauthenticated network access to the administrative web interface is sufficient; exploitation grants root execution and can hang the application while a shell remains open.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-16152
Published
Nov 14, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-829, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 14, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

9.8NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
10.0NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-829Inclusion of Functionality from Untrusted Control Sphere
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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