CVE-2020-25856

Code execution via unchecked WPA2 key-data length

Published Feb 3, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Stack buffer overflow in Realtek Ameba SDK before 2.08 allows remote attackers to execute code through a crafted WPA2 handshake packet. DecWPA2KeyData passes a network-controlled key-data length to rtl_memcpy without validating it against the fixed-size stack destination. Exploitation requires wireless proximity, impersonation of an access point, and knowledge of the network PSK; a successful packet can execute code or crash the Wi-Fi client.

CVSS severity8.1
High
EPSS probability2.16%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Stack buffer overflow in Realtek Ameba SDK before 2.08 allows remote attackers to execute code through a crafted WPA2 handshake packet. DecWPA2KeyData passes a network-controlled key-data length to rtl_memcpy without validating it against the fixed-size stack destination. Exploitation requires wireless proximity, impersonation of an access point, and knowledge of the network PSK; a successful packet can execute code or crash the Wi-Fi client.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-25856
Published
Feb 3, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Product
Realtek Ameba SDK
Classifications
CWE-787, CWE-121, T1203
Attack vector
adjacent
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 3, 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?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=Versions before 2020-04-21 (up to and excluding 2.08)

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectoradjacent
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Realtek Semiconductor Corp. · Realtek Ameba SDKversion=Versions before 2020-04-21 (up to and excluding 2.08)

Published CVSS scores

6.8NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
8.1NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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)
Vectoradjacent
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-787Out-of-bounds Write
CWE-121Stack-based Buffer Overflow
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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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