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Vulnerability record · CVE-2020-0609 · published 14 January 2020

CVE-2020-0609: Windows RD Gateway unauthenticated remote code execution

Microsoft · Windows Server 2012

Windows Remote Desktop Gateway (RD Gateway) contains a remote code execution flaw triggered when an unauthenticated attacker connects over RDP and sends specially crafted requests. It affects Windows Server 2012, 2016 and 2019, and because no credentials or user interaction are required, any internet-exposed RD Gateway is a direct target. The record gives no root-cause detail beyond the vendor description.

9.8 CVSS 3.1 Critical EPSS 78% · top 0.4%
9.8CVSS 3.1 base score, v2 10.0
78%EPSS exploitation probability, 30 days
NoNot in CISA KEV
3Affected product versions listed by NVD
2References
17 Jun 2026Last modified by NVD

Description

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Windows Remote Desktop Gateway (RD Gateway) when an unauthenticated attacker connects to the target system using RDP and sends specially crafted requests, aka 'Windows Remote Desktop Gateway (RD Gateway) Remote Code Execution Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-0610.

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Automated analysis

Generated by VULONE's analysis model from the NVD record, CISA KEV and EPSS data on 18 September 2026. Confidence: medium.

critical priorityCVSS 9.8 with no authentication or interaction required, plus a very high EPSS score, makes this a top-priority patch for any exposed RD Gateway.

What it is

Windows Remote Desktop Gateway (RD Gateway) contains a remote code execution flaw triggered when an unauthenticated attacker connects over RDP and sends specially crafted requests. It affects Windows Server 2012, 2016 and 2019, and because no credentials or user interaction are required, any internet-exposed RD Gateway is a direct target. The record gives no root-cause detail beyond the vendor description.

Impact

A successful attacker can execute arbitrary code on the RD Gateway host with the service's privileges, potentially gaining a foothold on the internal network the gateway brokers access to. The CVSS vector rates confidentiality, integrity and availability impact as high.

Attack surface

Reachable over the network via RDP to the RD Gateway service; the CVSS vector (AV:N/PR:N/UI:N) and description confirm no authentication and no user interaction are needed. Any RD Gateway endpoint exposed to untrusted networks is in scope.

Exploitation

Not listed in CISA KEV and no reference carries an exploit tag, but EPSS is very high (0.749, 99.5th percentile), indicating strong predicted exploitation activity. The record does not confirm public exploit code or in-the-wild use.

What to do

  • Apply the Microsoft security update for CVE-2020-0609 (and the related CVE-2020-0610) on all RD Gateway servers.
  • Restrict RDP/RD Gateway exposure to the internet; require VPN or allowlisted source addresses where possible.
  • Enforce network segmentation so a compromised gateway cannot freely reach internal systems.
  • Enable and monitor RD Gateway and RDP logging, and alert on anomalous connection patterns.
  • Retire or isolate end-of-support Windows Server 2012 hosts that cannot be patched.

Detection

  • Monitor RD Gateway/RDP logs for malformed or unusual connection attempts from unauthenticated or unexpected sources.
  • Alert on new or unexpected processes spawned by the RD Gateway service (aaedge/RAWeb-related processes).
  • Baseline and watch for outbound connections from RD Gateway hosts to unfamiliar destinations.
  • Correlate spikes in failed or malformed RDP requests with host-level process creation events.

This assessment is produced automatically and is not human-reviewed. Verify against the vendor advisory before acting on it.

Affected products

3 vulnerable configurations from NVD's CPE data, grouped by vendor and product.

References

LinkTags
https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-0609 PatchVendor Advisory
https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-0609 PatchVendor Advisory

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Same products first, then exploited flaws of the same weakness class.

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Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2020-0609), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-09-26). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.