CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2025-59487NVD status: Modified

Archer AX53 v1.0: Heap-based Buffer Overflow

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2025-59487 is a high-severity heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Archer AX53 v1.0 from TP-Link, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.0 out of 10. It can be exploited from the same local network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected Archer AX53 v1.0 versions: 1.3.1 Build 20241120 and earlier. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.46% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of Archer AX53 v1.0 you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Read the advisory on tp-link.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
TP-LinkArcher AX53 v1.01.3.1 Build 20241120 and earlierNot stated
TP-LinkArcher Ax53 Firmware1.0Not stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
AdjacentThe attacker must be on the same local network segment.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
LowA basic user account is enough.
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:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 4.07.3HighCNA
CVSS 3.18.0HighNVD

Official description

Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerability in TP-Link Archer AX53 v1.0 (tmpserver modules) allows authenticated adjacent attackers to cause a segmentation fault or potentially execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability arises from improper validation of a packet field whose offset is used to determine the write location in memory. By crafting a packet with a manipulated field offset, an attacker can redirect writes to arbitrary memory locations.This issue affects Archer AX53 v1.0: through 1.3.1 Build 20241120.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Heap-based Buffer Overflow

The product writes past the end of a buffer that was allocated on the heap.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Pre-design: Use a language or compiler that performs automatic bounds checking.
  • Use an abstraction library to abstract away risky APIs. Not a complete solution.
  • Use automatic buffer overflow detection mechanisms that are offered by certain compilers or compiler extensions. Examples include: the Microsoft Visual Studio /GS flag, Fedora/Red Hat FORTIFY_SOURCE GCC flag, StackGuard, and ProPolice, which provide various mechanisms including canary-based detection and range/index checking. D3-SFCV (Stack Frame Canary Validation) from D3FEND discusses canary-based detection in detail.

More Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities (CWE-122)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Third-party and government advisories

Other vulnerabilities in Archer AX53 v1.0

All Archer AX53 v1.0 vulnerabilities

Recent Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities

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