CVE-2002-1312 in BEFW11S4
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the Web management interface in Linksys BEFW11S4 wireless access point router 2 and BEFSR11, BEFSR41, and BEFSRU31 EtherFast Cable/DSL routers with firmware before 1.43.3 with remote management enabled allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (router crash) via a long password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1312 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the web management interface of several Linksys router models including the BEFW11S4 wireless access point and BEFSR11, BEFSR41, BEFSRU31 EtherFast Cable/DSL routers. This vulnerability specifically affects firmware versions prior to 1.43.3 and becomes exploitable when remote management features are enabled on the affected devices. The flaw manifests when an attacker submits an excessively long password parameter through the web interface, causing the router to crash and resulting in a denial of service condition that renders the network infrastructure inaccessible to authorized users.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the router's web management interface. When the system processes a password parameter that exceeds the allocated buffer size, the excess data overflows into adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting critical system variables or execution stacks. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions. The flaw demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where input length validation is insufficient to prevent memory corruption during parameter processing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it provides attackers with the capability to remotely compromise network infrastructure through a straightforward denial of service attack. Network administrators who have enabled remote management features on affected routers face significant risk since the attack requires no authentication credentials and can be executed from any remote location. The vulnerability essentially allows malicious actors to render network connectivity services unavailable, potentially disrupting business operations, emergency communications, or home network access for extended periods until the device is manually rebooted or the firmware is updated.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates to version 1.43.3 or later, which contain patches addressing the buffer overflow condition in the web management interface. Network administrators should also consider disabling remote management features when not actively required, as this significantly reduces the attack surface available to potential exploiters. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the impact of successful exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1190 technique for Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting the importance of maintaining up-to-date network infrastructure and implementing proper access controls. Organizations should also consider network monitoring solutions that can detect unusual traffic patterns or service disruptions that may indicate exploitation attempts against vulnerable devices.