CVE-2022-23971

Service interruption via path-traversal file overwrite

Published Apr 7, 2022 · Updated Sep 17, 2024

Path traversal in ASUS RT-AX56U firmware 3.0.0.4.386.45898 allows remote attackers on the LAN to overwrite system files. The update_PLC/PORT file handler fails to filter special characters from its URL parameter, allowing a supplied PLC/PORT file to be placed in an arbitrary system directory. Access to the local network is required, and overwriting a same-named configuration file interrupts service.

CVSS severity8.1
High
EPSS probability0.49%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Path traversal in ASUS RT-AX56U firmware 3.0.0.4.386.45898 allows remote attackers on the LAN to overwrite system files. The update_PLC/PORT file handler fails to filter special characters from its URL parameter, allowing a supplied PLC/PORT file to be placed in an arbitrary system directory. Access to the local network is required, and overwriting a same-named configuration file interrupts service.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-23971
Published
Apr 7, 2022
Updated
Sep 17, 2024
Vendor
ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
Product
RT-AX56U
Classifications
CWE-22, T1499
Attack vector
adjacent
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 7, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 17, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=3.0.0.4.386.45898

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectoradjacent
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

ASUSTeK Computer Inc. · RT-AX56Uversion=3.0.0.4.386.45898

Published CVSS scores

8.1TWCERT/CCCVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectoradjacent
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-22Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
T1499Endpoint Denial of Service

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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