Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2016-20017 is a critical flaw in D-Link DSL-2750B devices running firmware before 1.05. An unauthenticated remote attacker could inject operating-system commands through the web login interface. The CVE record says it was exploited in the wild from 2016 through 2022, and CISA lists it in KEV.
Executive priority
Treat this as urgent for any environment still using the device. The combination of remote unauthenticated command execution, critical CVSS impact, public exploit references, and KEV listing means exposed devices should be updated, isolated, or replaced promptly.
Technical view
The issue is CWE-77 command injection affecting the login.cgi cli parameter on D-Link DSL-2750B firmware before 1.05. CVSS 3.1 is 9.8: network reachable, low complexity, no privileges, no user interaction, with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. The bundle does not identify affected CPEs beyond the device and firmware threshold.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely where D-Link DSL-2750B management interfaces are reachable from untrusted networks, especially legacy branch, ISP-provided, or unmanaged edge devices. The provided affected-product metadata is incomplete, so validation should focus on direct device inventory and firmware confirmation.
Exploitation context
Active exploitation is supported by CISA KEV and the CVE description, which states exploitation in the wild occurred from 2016 through 2022. Public exploit references exist, increasing risk for any still-exposed legacy devices. No new exploitation details are needed to assess urgency.
Researcher notes
The source bundle supports the core claim but has sparse affected-product metadata. Do not broaden scope beyond D-Link DSL-2750B before firmware 1.05 without additional vendor evidence. Prioritize safe validation through inventory, firmware review, exposure review, and log analysis.
Mitigation direction
- Identify any D-Link DSL-2750B devices in the environment.
- Upgrade affected devices to firmware 1.05 or follow D-Link SAP10088 guidance.
- Remove management interfaces from internet or untrusted network exposure.
- Apply compensating access controls until vendor guidance is completed.
- Retire devices that cannot be updated or adequately isolated.
Validation and detection
- Inventory edge devices and confirm model numbers against DSL-2750B.
- Verify firmware versions and flag anything before 1.05.
- Check whether web management is reachable from untrusted networks.
- Review logs for suspicious access to the management interface.
- Track remediation status against CISA KEV exposure requirements.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-77: Command execution behavior lookup
Command injection weaknesses can lead defenders to review execution techniques and command interpreter telemetry. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2016-20017 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Critical
- CVSS
- 9.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- Yes
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CISA KEV status
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
9.8CriticalVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://supportannouncement.us.dlink.com/announcement/publication.aspx?name=SAP10088CVE reference
- https://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2016/Feb/53CVE reference
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/44760CVE reference
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-20017CVE reference · government-resource
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.