Pre-authentication code execution via unchecked JSON copies
Published Jan 30, 2023 · Updated Mar 28, 2025
Stack overflow in NETGEAR router firmware allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by impersonating a location server. The aws_json binary parses downloaded JSON and passes multiple fields to unchecked strcpy calls that overflow fixed-size stack buffers. Exploitation requires the Wi-Fi password or an Ethernet connection; successful code runs as root and can expose networks reachable from the router.
Summary
What happened
Stack overflow in NETGEAR router firmware allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by impersonating a location server. The aws_json binary parses downloaded JSON and passes multiple fields to unchecked strcpy calls that overflow fixed-size stack buffers. Exploitation requires the Wi-Fi password or an Ethernet connection; successful code runs as root and can expose networks reachable from the router.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2022-48176
- Published
- Jan 30, 2023
- Updated
- Mar 28, 2025
- Vendor
- Unknown vendor
- Product
- Unknown product
- Classifications
- CWE-787, T1557, T1203
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jan 30, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Mar 28, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- HDW Sec aws_json double-stack-overflow demonstrationproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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