PatchTheCVECVE-2019-16920: D-Link Multiple Routers Command Injection Vulnerability
CVE-2019-16920 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting dir-655 firmware, dir-866l firmware, dir-652 firmware, reported as exploited in the wild. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
Unauthenticated remote code execution occurs in D-Link products such as DIR-655C, DIR-866L, DIR-652, and DHP-1565. The issue occurs when the attacker sends an arbitrary input to a "PingTest" device common gateway interface that could lead to common injection. An attacker who successfully triggers the command injection could achieve full system compromise. Later, it was independently found that these are also affected: DIR-855L, DAP-1533, DIR-862L
Why this priority
- Critical severity
- EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
- Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV)
- Public exploit reference
- CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact
- Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
A fixed release or distro patch exists.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 9.8 (Critical) |
| Attack vector | Network (remote) |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges needed | None |
| User interaction | None |
| EPSS exploit chance | 100.0% (top 1%) |
| CISA exploited list | Yes, fix due 2022-04-15 |
| Weakness | CWE-78 |
| Published | 2019-09-27 |
| Last modified | 2026-06-17 |
Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Exploited Added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
- Deadline CISA due date for US federal agencies to patch
- Updated Record last modified
Exact fixes by distribution
Public exploits and detection
Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.
- GitHub PoC: eniac888/CVE-2019-16920-MassPwn3r (1 stars)
- Write-up: medium.com/@80vul/determine-the-device-model-affected-by-cve-2019-16920-by-zoomeye-bf6fec7
- Write-up: www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/766427
- GitHub PoC: pwnhacker0x18/CVE-2019-16920-MassPwn3r
- Nuclei scan template: D-Link Routers - Remote Code Execution
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-2019-16920?
dir-655 firmware: upgrade to newer than 3.02b05; dir-866l firmware: upgrade to newer than 1.03b04; dir-652 firmware: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2019-16920 being exploited?
Yes. CVE-2019-16920 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list, so treat it as patch-now.
What does CVE-2019-16920 affect?
CVE-2019-16920 affects dir-655 firmware, dir-866l firmware, dir-652 firmware. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Unauthenticated remote code execution occurs in D-Link products such as DIR-655C, DIR-866L, DIR-652, and DHP-1565. The issue occurs when the attacker sends an arbitrary input to a "PingTest" device common gateway interface that could lead t
How urgent is CVE-2019-16920?
Priority 97/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV); Public exploit reference; CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
Software pages
Related CVEs
- CVE-2025-6158 HIGH 8.8 MITIGATE A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in D-Link DIR-665 1.00
- CVE-2019-13563 HIGH 8.8 MITIGATE D-Link DIR-655 C devices before 3.02B05 BETA03 allow CSRF for the entire management console.
- CVE-2019-13562 MEDIUM 6.1 MITIGATE D-Link DIR-655 C devices before 3.02B05 BETA03 allow XSS, as demonstrated by the /www/ping_response.cgi ping_i
- CVE-2019-13561 CRITICAL 9.8 MITIGATE D-Link DIR-655 C devices before 3.02B05 BETA03 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell
- CVE-2019-13560 CRITICAL 9.8 MITIGATE D-Link DIR-655 C devices before 3.02B05 BETA03 allow remote attackers to force a blank password via the apply_