What is the CVSS score of CVE-2018-5721?

CVE-2018-5721 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 (High). CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. EPSS exploitation probability: 1.9%.

Is there a public PoC exploit available for CVE-2018-5721?

Yes, a public proof-of-concept exploit is available for CVE-2018-5721. Prioritise patching immediately. EPSS: 1.9%.

Asuswrt Merlin CVE-2018-5721

HIGH

Out-of-bounds Write (CWE-787)

2018-01-17 cve@mitre.org

Memory Corruption Buffer Overflow Asuswrt Merlin

8.8

CVSS 3.1 · NVD

Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY

8.8 HIGH

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

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

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

Attack Vector

Network

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

Low

User Interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Lifecycle Timeline

CVE Published

Jan 17, 2018 - 06:29 nvd

HIGH 8.8

DescriptionNVD

Stack-based buffer overflow in the ej_update_variables function in router/httpd/web.c on ASUS routers (when using software from https://github.com/RMerl/asuswrt-merlin) allows web authenticated attackers to execute code via a request that updates a setting. In ej_update_variables, the length of the variable action_script is not checked, as long as it includes a "_wan_if" substring.

AnalysisAI

Stack-based buffer overflow in the ej_update_variables function in router/httpd/web.c on ASUS routers (when using software from https://github.com/RMerl/asuswrt-merlin) allows web authenticated. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.

Technical ContextAI

This vulnerability is classified as Out-of-bounds Write (CWE-787), which allows attackers to write data beyond allocated buffer boundaries leading to code execution or crashes. Stack-based buffer overflow in the ej_update_variables function in router/httpd/web.c on ASUS routers (when using software from https://github.com/RMerl/asuswrt-merlin) allows web authenticated attackers to execute code via a request that updates a setting. In ej_update_variables, the length of the variable action_script is not checked, as long as it includes a "_wan_if" substring. Affected products include: Asuswrt-Merlin.

RemediationAI

No vendor patch is available at time of analysis. Monitor vendor advisories for updates. Validate write boundaries, use memory-safe languages, enable compiler protections (ASLR, stack canaries).