Wi-Fi Access Points: Stack-based Buffer Overflow
CVE-2026-102162 is a high-severity stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Wi-Fi Access Points from Arista Networks, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited from the same local network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 21.3.0 as the first without the flaw, so updating Wi-Fi Access Points to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.25% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Wi-Fi Access Points to 21.3.0 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on arista.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arista Networks | Wi-Fi Access Points | 22.0.0 through 22.0.1F-32; 21.3.0 through 21.3.0M-13; 1.0.0 up to, but not including, 21.3.0 | 21.3.0 |
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
- 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:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (arista.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 9.4 | Critical | CNA (arista.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | CNA (arista.com) |
Official description
On affected Arista Wi-Fi access points with captive portal, or application firewall enabled on at least one SSID, a vulnerability in the wireless gateway service could allow an unauthenticated network-adjacent attacker to send a crafted packet that triggers a stack overflow, resulting in a denial-of-service condition or potentially execute arbitrary code on the device. The wireless gateway service is automatically restarted after a crash, allowing repeated exploitation attempts.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Stack-based Buffer Overflow
The product writes past the end of a buffer that was allocated on the stack.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- 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.
- Use an abstraction library to abstract away risky APIs. Not a complete solution.
- Implement and perform bounds checking on input.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in Wi-Fi Access Points
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Stack-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities
- 8.4 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 9.4 Critical severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.7 High severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.