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CVE-2018-5999 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in AsusWRT before version 3.0.0.4.384_10007. The flaw is in the handle_request function in router/httpd/httpd.c, where processing of HTTP POST requests continues even after authentication fails. As a result, an unauthenticated remote attacker can submit crafted POST requests to administrative functionality and trigger configuration changes without valid credentials. Reported exploitation details indicate the issue can be used to enable unauthorized access to internal router management functionality and modify security-sensitive settings, including administrator credentials and other device configuration parameters. The vulnerability affects exposed ASUS router management interfaces and has been associated with full compromise scenarios on vulnerable devices.
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1 valid exploit after Mallory filtered fakes, detection scripts, and README-only repos (1 hidden).
This repository contains a single Metasploit module (modules/exploits/linux/http/asuswrt_lan_rce.rb) that exploits unauthenticated remote code execution vulnerabilities (CVE-2018-5999, CVE-2018-6000) in AsusWRT routers. The exploit works by first sending an HTTP POST request to the /vpnupload.cgi endpoint to set a configuration variable ('ateCommand_flag'), enabling a special command mode. It then sends a crafted UDP packet to the infosvr service running on port 9999, which executes a command to start a telnet daemon as root on a random port. The module then attempts to connect to this telnet service, providing the attacker with a root shell. The exploit targets AsusWRT firmware versions prior to 3.0.0.4.384.10007 and has been tested on the RT-AC68U model. The code is written in Ruby and is designed to be run within the Metasploit framework. The main attack vectors are network-based, requiring access to the LAN where the router is located. The module is operational and provides a working payload for remote shell access.
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5 sources tracked across advisories, community write-ups, and news. New activity surfaces here as Mallory finds it.
A critical unauthenticated configuration update vulnerability in older ASUS routers that allows attackers to change router settings without authentication.
A critical unauthenticated remote code execution vulnerability in Asus routers that allows an attacker to achieve root-level code execution.
A critical unauthenticated remote code execution vulnerability in Asus routers that allows an attacker to achieve root-level code execution.
A vulnerability affecting ASUS and ROG routers that can bypass owner-made user/password changes and allow unauthorized changes to router settings.
Query your assets running an affected version, and investigate the blast radius.
Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.
Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.
YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.
Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.
Community discussion across Reddit, Mastodon, and other social sources.