CVE-2015-8762: The EAP-PWD module in FreeRADIUS 3.0 through 3.0.8 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL

This month

MEDIUM 5.9REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2015-8762 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.9) affecting freeradius. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The EAP-PWD module in FreeRADIUS 3.0 through 3.0.8 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and server crash) via a zero-length EAP-PWD packet.

Why this priority

Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.9 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.6% (top 24%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-476
Published	2017-03-27
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: freeradius

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-03-27 17:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:35 UTCUpdated Record last modified

freeradius freeradius DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.0.0 · 3.0.1 · 3.0.2 · 3.0.3 · 3.0.4 · 3.0.5 · 3.0.6 · 3.0.7

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.0.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy freeradius || rpm -q freeradius || freeradius --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison freeradius sudo apt install freeradius=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold freeradius

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list freeradius sudo dnf downgrade freeradius-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add freeradius

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2015-8762?

freeradius: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2015-8762 being exploited?

CVE-2015-8762 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2015-8762 affect?

CVE-2015-8762 affects freeradius. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.9). The EAP-PWD module in FreeRADIUS 3.0 through 3.0.8 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and server crash) via a zero-length EAP-PWD packet.

How urgent is CVE-2015-8762?

Priority 45/100. Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

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References

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