CVE-2026-76744 in AOS-Switch
Summary
by MITRE • 10/06/2026
Buffer overflow vulnerabilities exist in the affected interface of AOS-S. Successful exploitation could allow an unauthenticated remote attacker to execute arbitrary code.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2026
The vulnerability described constitutes a critical buffer overflow condition within the application operating system software, specifically designated as AOS-S. This type of flaw arises when a program or process writes more data to a fixed-length block of memory than it is designed to hold. In this specific instance, the affected interface fails to properly validate the length of input data before copying it into an allocated buffer on the stack or heap. When an unauthenticated remote attacker sends a specially crafted request containing oversized payload data to this vulnerable endpoint, the excess data overwrites adjacent memory locations. This overwrite can corrupt critical program variables and control structures, fundamentally altering the execution flow of the affected software component.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-120, which classifies buffer copy without checking size limits as a fundamental input validation failure. The absence of bounds checking allows an attacker to manipulate the return address or function pointers stored in memory. By carefully crafting the overflow payload, an adversary can inject shellcode or redirect execution flow to existing malicious code segments within the application's memory space. This mechanism is consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059, Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables the initial foothold required for further exploitation. The lack of authentication requirements significantly lowers the barrier to entry, allowing any network-accessible entity to attempt this exploit without prior credentials or complex social engineering tactics.
The operational impact of successful exploitation is severe, resulting in complete compromise of the affected system's confidentiality, integrity, and availability. An attacker who successfully exploits this buffer overflow can execute arbitrary code with the privileges granted to the vulnerable process. If AOS-S runs with elevated administrative rights, which is common for network operating systems managing infrastructure components, the attacker gains full control over the underlying host. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, installation of backdoors or malware, lateral movement across the internal network, and disruption of critical services provided by the device. The ability to execute arbitrary code effectively neutralizes any security controls implemented at the application layer, as the attacker operates with kernel-level or high-privilege system authority.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate remediation and long-term defensive posture improvements. The primary corrective action is for vendors to release a software patch that implements strict input validation and bounds checking within the affected interface code paths. Developers should utilize safe string handling functions and enable compiler-based security features such as stack canaries, Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR), and Data Execution Prevention (DEP) to mitigate exploitation success rates even if similar vulnerabilities exist in other parts of the system. For organizations unable to immediately patch due to operational constraints, network-level mitigations are essential. This includes deploying Intrusion Detection Systems or Web Application Firewalls configured with signatures specifically targeting buffer overflow attempts against this interface. Additionally, restricting access to the vulnerable management interfaces via Access Control Lists and ensuring that administrative ports are not exposed to untrusted networks can significantly reduce the attack surface until a permanent fix is applied.