Persistent root code execution via unchecked watchdog respawn
Published Aug 22, 2025 · Updated Aug 22, 2025
Privilege escalation in D-Link DCS-825L firmware 1.08.01 allows local users to execute persistent code as root via replaced binaries. The mydlink-watch-dog.sh loop restarts dcp and signalc as root without checking file integrity, authenticity, or permissions. Local filesystem access through UART, a debug interface, or modified firmware is required; successful replacement preserves root execution across reboots.
Summary
What happened
Privilege escalation in D-Link DCS-825L firmware 1.08.01 allows local users to execute persistent code as root via replaced binaries. The mydlink-watch-dog.sh loop restarts dcp and signalc as root without checking file integrity, authenticity, or permissions. Local filesystem access through UART, a debug interface, or modified firmware is required; successful replacement preserves root execution across reboots.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-55581
- Published
- Aug 22, 2025
- Updated
- Aug 22, 2025
- Vendor
- Unknown vendor
- Product
- Unknown product
- Classifications
- CWE-494, CWE-306, CWE-269, T1546
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 22, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 22, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.
Is a vulnerable build present?
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.
Published CVSS scores
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- Cyber Maya binary-replacement proof of conceptproof of concept · demonstrated
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Technologies
Your stack
See the directory against your own environment.
Your stack
Check the software in your environment
Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.
Book a demo