CVE-2020-36997
Published: 29 January 2026
Summary
CVE-2020-36997 is a high-severity Stack-based Buffer Overflow (CWE-121) vulnerability in Dummysoftware (inferred from references). Its CVSS base score is 8.4 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploit Public-Facing Application (T1190); ranked at the 28.3th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified are NIST 800-53 SI-10 (Information Input Validation) and SI-16 (Memory Protection).
Deeper analysis
CVE-2020-36997 is a buffer overflow vulnerability (CWE-121) in BacklinkSpeed version 2.4. The flaw occurs during malicious file import, enabling attackers to corrupt the Structured Exception Handler (SEH) chain by overwriting SEH addresses with a specially crafted payload file. This can lead to arbitrary code execution, allowing full control over the affected application. The vulnerability carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H), indicating critical severity.
Remote attackers require no privileges or user interaction to exploit the vulnerability over the network with low complexity. By inducing the application to process a malicious file, they can trigger the buffer overflow, corrupt the SEH chain, and execute arbitrary code, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability with high impact.
References include the vendor site at dummysoftware.com and backlinkspeed.html, as well as public proof-of-concept exploits on Exploit-DB (exploit 48726) and a Vulncheck advisory detailing the BacklinkSpeed buffer overflow with SEH overwrite. No specific patches or mitigation steps are detailed in the provided information.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2020-30909
Vulnerability details
BacklinkSpeed 2.4 contains a buffer overflow vulnerability that allows attackers to corrupt the Structured Exception Handler (SEH) chain through malicious file import. Attackers can craft a specially designed payload file to overwrite SEH addresses, potentially executing arbitrary code and gaining…
more
control of the application.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
Buffer overflow with SEH overwrite during remote malicious file processing directly enables unauthenticated RCE over the network (T1190).
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Validates imported files to prevent buffer overflows from specially crafted payloads that corrupt the SEH chain.
Implements memory safeguards like ASLR and DEP to block arbitrary code execution from SEH chain overwrites even if overflow occurs.
Remediates the known buffer overflow flaw through timely patching to eliminate the vulnerability in BacklinkSpeed 2.4.