CVE-2018-25193 in Mongoose Web Server
Summary
by MITRE • 03/06/2026
Mongoose Web Server 6.9 contains a denial of service vulnerability that allows remote attackers to crash the service by establishing multiple socket connections. Attackers can repeatedly create connections to the default port and send malformed data to exhaust server resources and cause service unavailability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/06/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-25193 represents a critical denial of service flaw within Mongoose Web Server version 6.9, a lightweight embedded web server commonly used in IoT devices and embedded systems. This vulnerability stems from inadequate resource management and connection handling mechanisms within the web server implementation. The flaw specifically manifests when the server fails to properly terminate or limit concurrent socket connections, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the service through resource exhaustion attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a straightforward yet effective method involving the establishment of multiple simultaneous socket connections to the server's default port. Attackers can repeatedly create these connections and subsequently transmit malformed data packets that trigger the server's resource consumption mechanisms. The server's inability to properly handle these malformed connections leads to progressive resource depletion, ultimately resulting in complete service unavailability. This type of attack pattern aligns with common denial of service methodologies and demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the server's connection management and error handling capabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-25193 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can affect critical infrastructure components that rely on Mongoose Web Server for their web-based management interfaces. Systems utilizing this vulnerable version may experience complete service outages, potentially leading to operational downtime and loss of access to management functionalities. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in embedded environments where the web server serves as a primary interface for device configuration and monitoring, as the denial of service can effectively render devices inaccessible and require manual intervention for recovery.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-400, which categorizes the weakness as "Uncontrolled Resource Consumption," and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, "Application Exhaustion Flood," which describes methods of consuming application resources to cause service disruption. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple devices are exposed to the internet. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation, connection rate limiting, and regular firmware updates to mitigate this risk. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper resource management in embedded systems and demonstrates how seemingly simple flaws can have significant operational consequences in mission-critical deployments.