CVE-2024-57376 Overview
CVE-2024-57376 is a buffer overflow vulnerability affecting multiple D-Link DSR series routers running firmware versions 3.13 through 3.17B901C. The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers on an adjacent network to execute arbitrary code on the target device. Successful exploitation grants full control over the affected router, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-120] (Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input). D-Link has published information through its security bulletin portal. The EPSS probability score for this vulnerability is 3.626% (88.55 percentile), indicating elevated likelihood of exploitation activity relative to most CVEs.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote code execution on perimeter routing devices, granting attackers a foothold to pivot into internal networks and intercept traffic.
Affected Products
- D-Link DSR-150 and DSR-150N (firmware 3.13 to 3.17B901C)
- D-Link DSR-250 and DSR-250N (firmware 3.13 to 3.17B901C)
- D-Link DSR-500, DSR-500N, and DSR-1000N (firmware 3.13 to 3.17B901C)
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-01-28 - CVE-2024-57376 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-57376
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a classic buffer overflow in the firmware of D-Link DSR series services routers. An attacker on an adjacent network segment can send crafted input that exceeds the size of a fixed-length buffer. The overflow overwrites adjacent memory, including control data such as saved return addresses or function pointers. Because no authentication is required, any device that can reach the router's exposed service can trigger the flaw.
Successful exploitation results in arbitrary code execution in the context of the vulnerable service, typically with elevated privileges on embedded Linux routers. DSR series devices commonly serve as VPN gateways and edge routers for small and mid-sized business environments, making compromise particularly consequential.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper bounds checking when copying attacker-controlled input into a fixed-size buffer, consistent with [CWE-120]. The affected firmware code does not validate input length against destination buffer capacity before copying data. This omission allows adjacent memory regions to be overwritten with attacker-supplied bytes.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is adjacent network, meaning the attacker must be positioned on the same logical network as the target router — for example, on the LAN, a shared broadcast segment, or a compromised adjacent VPN peer. No user interaction and no credentials are required. Detailed exploitation code has not been published publicly.
The vulnerability is described in the D-Link Security Bulletin. No verified proof-of-concept exploit is currently available.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-57376
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected reboots or service crashes on DSR-150, DSR-250, DSR-500, or DSR-1000N devices, which can indicate failed exploitation attempts.
- New or unauthorized administrative accounts, firewall rule modifications, or routing table changes on affected D-Link routers.
- Outbound connections from the router management interface to unknown external IP addresses.
Detection Strategies
- Inventory D-Link DSR devices and correlate firmware version against the affected range 3.13 to 3.17B901C.
- Monitor router syslog output for repeated service restarts, segmentation faults, or malformed protocol messages on management services.
- Deploy network intrusion detection signatures that flag oversized or malformed requests directed at DSR management ports from LAN or adjacent VLANs.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward router syslog and SNMP telemetry to a centralized logging platform and alert on integrity-relevant events such as configuration changes and firmware modifications.
- Baseline management-plane traffic and alert on anomalous source hosts contacting router administrative interfaces.
- Track outbound router-originated traffic to detect post-exploitation command-and-control communication.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-57376
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all affected DSR-150, DSR-150N, DSR-250, DSR-250N, DSR-500, DSR-500N, and DSR-1000N devices and confirm their firmware version.
- Restrict management-plane access to a dedicated administrative VLAN or trusted management hosts only.
- Apply firmware updates from D-Link as soon as fixed versions are available for your specific hardware revision.
Patch Information
D-Link publishes firmware updates and remediation guidance through the D-Link Security Bulletin. Administrators should verify the fixed firmware version applicable to their exact model and hardware revision before deploying. Several DSR models in the affected list have reached end-of-support status; those units should be replaced rather than patched.
Workarounds
- Segment DSR routers so that only trusted management stations reside on adjacent networks with access to management services.
- Disable unused services and remote management features on the affected devices to reduce the exposed attack surface.
- Replace end-of-life DSR hardware with a currently supported platform where firmware fixes are not available.
# Example: restrict router management access to a dedicated admin subnet
# (adapt CLI syntax to your DSR firmware version)
access-list MGMT permit 10.10.50.0 0.0.0.255
access-list MGMT deny any
interface vlan 1
ip access-group MGMT in
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
