CVE-2026-115678 in MDK-Middleware
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2026
Arm Keil MDK-Middleware 8.0.0-8.3.0 may allow pre-authentication out-of-bounds read in SNMP processing
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2026
The vulnerability identified within Arm Keil MDK-Middleware versions ranging from 8.0.0 to 8.3.0 represents a critical security flaw located specifically within the Simple Network Management Protocol implementation, commonly referred to as SNMP. This middleware component is frequently utilized in embedded systems and Internet of Things devices for monitoring and managing networked hardware. The core issue stems from an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs during the processing of incoming SNMP packets. Because this vulnerability allows pre-authentication exploitation, it does not require any form of user authentication or valid credentials to be triggered. This characteristic significantly lowers the barrier for entry, enabling unauthenticated remote attackers to interact with the vulnerable service and potentially extract sensitive information from the device's memory space without detection by standard access control mechanisms.
From a technical perspective, an out-of-bounds read occurs when software attempts to read data from a memory location that is outside the intended buffer boundaries. In the context of SNMP processing, this typically happens due to insufficient validation of packet length fields or index values provided in Management Information Base requests. When a malicious actor crafts a specially designed SNMP request with malformed parameters, such as an oversized object identifier or incorrect variable binding lengths, the middleware may attempt to access memory addresses beyond the allocated buffer. This action can lead to the leakage of internal application data, including stack contents, heap metadata, or other sensitive information residing in adjacent memory regions. The severity is compounded by the fact that SNMP services are often exposed on network interfaces accessible from untrusted networks, making this a prime target for remote exploitation attempts aimed at reconnaissance and initial access phases of an attack lifecycle.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data leakage. While out-of-bounds reads do not directly allow code execution like buffer overflows, they serve as powerful information disclosure vectors that can facilitate further attacks. Attackers can use the leaked memory contents to identify running processes, extract cryptographic keys, or discover internal network topology details embedded in configuration structures. This intelligence gathering is often a precursor to more destructive actions such as privilege escalation or remote code execution if additional vulnerabilities are present. Furthermore, consistent exposure of this flaw could lead to denial-of-service conditions if the malformed input causes the SNMP agent process to crash or behave unpredictably, thereby disrupting network management capabilities and potentially affecting the availability of critical infrastructure services that rely on continuous monitoring via SNMP.
In alignment with industry standards, this vulnerability is classified under CWE-125, which defines out-of-bounds read errors where software reads data past the end or before the beginning of the intended buffer. Additionally, from a tactical perspective, it maps to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1087, specifically endpoint discovery through network service enumeration and SNMP queries, as well as T1213 for data collection via information retrieval mechanisms. The pre-authentication nature also aligns with common attack patterns seen in remote exploitation frameworks where initial footholds are established without credential compromise.
To mitigate this risk, organizations deploying Arm Keil MDK-Middleware must prioritize immediate patching to a version beyond 8.3.0 that includes the vendor's security fixes for SNMP buffer validation logic. If upgrading is not immediately feasible, network segmentation strategies should be employed to restrict access to SNMP services exclusively from trusted management networks using strict firewall rules and ACLs. Implementing SNMPv3 with authentication and encryption can also help mitigate some risks by ensuring that only authorized entities can interact with the service, although this does not fully eliminate the risk of exploitation if the underlying buffer handling flaw remains unpatched. Regular vulnerability scanning focused on embedded network services is recommended to detect any instances where older middleware versions may still be in operation within production environments.