Firmware crash via empty IPv6 fragment reassembly
Published Dec 17, 2025 · Updated Dec 17, 2025
NULL pointer dereference in RIOT before 2025.10 allows remote attackers to crash device firmware with crafted IPv6 fragments. The gnrc_ipv6_ext_frag_reass function retains a NULL data pointer after stripping an empty fragment header, then passes that pointer as memcpy's reassembly-buffer destination when a second offset-zero fragment arrives. Exploitation requires the gnrc_ipv6_ext_frag module and arbitrary IPv6 packet delivery; the result is an immediate firmware crash rather than data access or modification.
Summary
What happened
NULL pointer dereference in RIOT before 2025.10 allows remote attackers to crash device firmware with crafted IPv6 fragments. The gnrc_ipv6_ext_frag_reass function retains a NULL data pointer after stripping an empty fragment header, then passes that pointer as memcpy's reassembly-buffer destination when a second offset-zero fragment arrives. Exploitation requires the gnrc_ipv6_ext_frag module and arbitrary IPv6 packet delivery; the result is an immediate firmware crash rather than data access or modification.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-66646
- Published
- Dec 17, 2025
- Updated
- Dec 17, 2025
- Vendor
- RIOT-OS
- Product
- RIOT
- Classifications
- CWE-476, T1499.004
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Dec 17, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Dec 17, 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?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=< 2025.10
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
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
- RIOT IPv6 fragment reassembly reproducerproof of concept · demonstrated
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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