Overview
A high-severity stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-14133, has been discovered in several Linksys range extender models. This flaw affects Linksys RE6500, RE6250, RE6300, RE6350, RE7000, and RE9000 devices running firmware versions 1.0.013.001, 1.0.04.001, 1.0.04.002, 1.1.05.003, and 1.2.07.001. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely to potentially execute arbitrary code or cause a denial-of-service (DoS) condition.
Technical Details
The vulnerability resides within the AP_get_wireless_clientlist_setClientsName function in the mod_form.so file. An attacker can trigger a stack-based buffer overflow by manipulating the clientsname_0 argument. Due to insufficient input validation, providing an overly long string for this argument allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory regions on the stack. The exploit is publicly available, increasing the risk of exploitation.
CVSS Analysis
The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) score for CVE-2025-14133 is 8.8 (HIGH).
- Attack Vector (AV): Network (N) – The vulnerability can be exploited over the network.
- Attack Complexity (AC): Low (L) – The attack is easily exploitable.
- Privileges Required (PR): None (N) – No privileges are required to exploit the vulnerability.
- User Interaction (UI): None (N) – No user interaction is required.
- Scope (S): Unchanged (U) – An exploited vulnerability can only affect resources managed by the same security authority.
- Confidentiality Impact (C): High (H) – There is a total loss of confidentiality, resulting in all resources within the impacted component being divulged to the attacker.
- Integrity Impact (I): High (H) – There is a total loss of integrity, resulting in the attacker being able to modify all resources within the impacted component.
- Availability Impact (A): High (H) – There is a total loss of availability, resulting in the attacker being able to fully deny access to resources in the impacted component; this loss is either persistent or irreversible.
Possible Impact
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to:
- Remote Code Execution (RCE): An attacker could potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected device, gaining complete control.
- Denial of Service (DoS): The device could crash, rendering it unusable and disrupting network connectivity.
- Data Theft: An attacker might be able to steal sensitive information stored on the device or transmitted through it.
- Network Compromise: The compromised device could be used as a pivot point to attack other devices on the network.
Mitigation or Patch Steps
Unfortunately, the vendor, Linksys, has not responded to vulnerability disclosures and has not released a patch as of the publish date of this article. Due to the lack of vendor response, the following steps are recommended:
- Discontinue Use: If possible, discontinue the use of affected Linksys RE series range extenders (RE6500, RE6250, RE6300, RE6350, RE7000, and RE9000).
- Network Segmentation: If discontinuing use is not feasible, isolate the range extender on a separate network segment to limit the potential impact of a compromise.
- Monitor Network Traffic: Closely monitor network traffic to and from the range extender for any suspicious activity.
- Consider Alternative Devices: Explore alternative range extender solutions from vendors with a stronger track record of security support.