Ruckus Unleashed: Use of Externally-Controlled Format String
CVE-2025-46121 is a critical-severity use of externally-controlled format string vulnerability in Ruckus Unleashed from Ruckuswireless, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 200.15.6.212.14, 200.17.7.0.139 as the first without the flaw, so updating Ruckus Unleashed to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.33% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 72% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update Ruckus Unleashed to 200.15.6.212.14 or 200.17.7.0.139, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update Ruckus Zonedirector to 10.5.1.0.279 or a later version.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruckuswireless | Ruckus Unleashed | before 200.15.6.212.14; 200.17 up to, but not including, 200.17.7.0.139 | 200.15.6.212.14, 200.17.7.0.139 |
| Ruckuswireless | Ruckus Zonedirector | before 10.5.1.0.279 | 10.5.1.0.279 |
Version data comes from NVD's product matching. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CISA (ADP).
Official description
An issue was discovered in CommScope Ruckus Unleashed prior to 200.15.6.212.14 and 200.17.7.0.139, where the functions `stamgr_cfg_adpt_addStaFavourite` and `stamgr_cfg_adpt_addStaIot` pass a client hostname directly to snprintf as the format string. A remote attacker can exploit this flaw either by sending a crafted request to the authenticated endpoint `/admin/_conf.jsp`, or without authentication and without direct network access to the controller by spoofing the MAC address of a favourite station and embedding malicious format specifiers in the DHCP hostname field, resulting in unauthenticated format-string processing and arbitrary code execution on the controller.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Use of Externally-Controlled Format String
The product uses a function that accepts a format string as an argument, but the format string originates from an external source.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Choose a language that is not subject to this flaw.
- Ensure that all format string functions are passed a static string which cannot be controlled by the user, and that the proper number of arguments are always sent to that function as well. If at all possible, use functions that do not support the %n operator in format strings.
- Run compilers and linkers with high warning levels, since they may detect incorrect usage.
More Use of Externally-Controlled Format String vulnerabilities (CWE-134)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
- sector7.computest.nl/post/2025-07-ruckus-unleashed/Exploit, Third Party Advisory
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in Ruckus Unleashed
- 7.2 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Use of Externally-Controlled Format String vulnerabilities
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.4 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
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