esp-idf: Stack-based Buffer Overflow
CVE-2026-113782 is a high-severity stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in esp-idf from Espressif, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.1 out of 10. It can be exploited from the same local network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected esp-idf versions: >= 5.2.0, < 5.2.8; >= 5.3.0, < 5.3.6; >= 5.4.0, < 5.4.5, and others listed below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.28% 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
- Check which version of esp-idf you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Espressif | esp-idf | >= 5.2.0, < 5.2.8; >= 5.3.0, < 5.3.6; >= 5.4.0, < 5.4.5; >= 5.5.0, < 5.5.5; >= 6.0.0, < 6.0.3 | Not 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
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- LowLimited modification of data is possible.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H. Scored by CNA (github.com).
Official description
ESP-IDF is the Espressif Internet of Things (IOT) Development Framework. From 5.2.0 until 5.2.8, 5.3.6, 5.4.5, 5.5.5, and 6.0.3, the OpenThread Border Router Neighbor Discovery packet handler trusts an attacker-controlled ICMPv6 option length while copying into a fixed stack buffer. A host on the same infrastructure link as the Border Router can send a crafted ICMPv6 Router Advertisement to its infrastructure interface whose oversized length causes an out-of-bounds write into adjacent stack memory. Firmware is affected only when CONFIG_OPENTHREAD_BORDER_ROUTER=y; Thread end devices, routers, and RCP firmware without the Border Router feature are unaffected. Exploitation requires no authentication or user interaction and can crash or reboot the device or corrupt adjacent stack state. This issue is fixed in versions 5.2.8, 5.3.6, 5.5.5, and 6.0.3 and is scheduled to be fixed in version 5.4.5.
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: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
- github.com/espressif/esp-idf/commit/4068c4e7d061b3e2d6096734509feadc14594e28
- github.com/espressif/esp-idf/commit/b6860b2db50406adf0aaebd75f2e9fe64cc805a9
- github.com/espressif/esp-idf/commit/c22480ba07fc1de454a63d42275c764d95c7bd9c
- github.com/espressif/esp-idf/commit/c828d0d709f1c46fa2b9e1ed3ce9d8dc4b29c42f
- github.com/espressif/esp-idf/commit/e18d27e480aec2b282898f4afc22b0f738ea7c04
- github.com/espressif/esp-idf/commit/f9bb1be59081ccef03a1b4b1fab9a225f28b1b61
Other vulnerabilities in esp-idf
- 7.4 High severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Stack-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities
- 7.3 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.4 High severity
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