CVE-2026-2857 in DWR-M960
Summary
by MITRE • 02/20/2026
A vulnerability was determined in D-Link DWR-M960 1.01.07. Affected by this issue is the function sub_423E00 of the file /boafrm/formPortFw of the component Port Forwarding Configuration Endpoint. This manipulation of the argument submit-url causes stack-based buffer overflow. Remote exploitation of the attack is possible. The exploit has been publicly disclosed and may be utilized.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-2857 affects the D-Link DWR-M960 router model with firmware version 1.01.07, representing a critical security flaw in the device's web interface management system. This issue resides within the Port Forwarding Configuration Endpoint component, specifically in the sub_423E00 function located in the /boafrm/formPortFw file. The vulnerability manifests as a stack-based buffer overflow that occurs when processing the submit-url argument, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited remotely without requiring authentication or physical access to the device.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the web application's form processing logic. When an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing an overly long submit-url parameter, the application fails to properly bounds-check the input before copying it to a fixed-size stack buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow and enabling arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is categorized under the broader weakness of insufficient input validation in web applications. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that this vulnerability can be exploited through a remote web interface, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no specialized physical access or network proximity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation capabilities to encompass comprehensive system compromise and potential network infiltration. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete device takeover, persistent backdoor installation, or use as a pivot point for attacking other devices within the local network. The remote exploitability means that attackers can target vulnerable devices from anywhere on the internet, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise and home network administrators who may not be actively monitoring their router firmware versions. According to ATT&CK framework category T1210, this vulnerability could be leveraged for exploitation of remote services and privilege escalation, potentially enabling attackers to establish persistent access to the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2026-2857 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from D-Link, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing this specific buffer overflow condition. Network administrators should implement network segmentation and firewall rules to restrict access to the router's web management interface from untrusted networks, while also monitoring for unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of intrusion detection systems with signature-based detection for known exploit patterns related to this vulnerability can provide additional layers of protection. Security teams should also consider disabling unnecessary services and features on the affected router, particularly the web management interface if alternative management methods are available, and conduct thorough network scans to identify all potentially affected devices within their infrastructure. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar issues in other network devices and ensure that firmware updates are consistently applied across all network infrastructure components.