Asuswrt Merlin
CVE-2018-5721
HIGH
Severity by source
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
Lifecycle Timeline
1DescriptionNVD
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).
More in Asuswrt Merlin
View allA memory corruption vulnerability exists in the httpd unescape functionality of Asuswrt prior to 3.0.0.4.386_48706 and A
Stack buffer overflow in httpd in Asuswrt-Merlin firmware 380.67_0RT-AC5300 and earlier for ASUS devices and ASUS firmwa
Same weakness CWE-787 – Out-of-bounds Write
View allSame technique Buffer Overflow
View allShare
External POC / Exploit Code
Leaving vuln.today