CVE-2025-59482: TP-Link Archer AX53 Buffer Overflow Flaw

CVE-2025-59482 Overview

CVE-2025-59482 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability [CWE-122] affecting the TP-Link Archer AX53 v1.0 router. The flaw resides in the tmpserver modules and is triggered when a specially crafted network packet contains a field whose length exceeds the maximum expected value. Authenticated attackers on an adjacent network can exploit this condition to cause a segmentation fault or potentially execute arbitrary code on the device. The issue affects Archer AX53 v1.0 firmware versions through 1.3.1 Build 20241120.

Critical Impact

Authenticated adjacent-network attackers can corrupt heap memory in tmpserver, leading to denial of service or arbitrary code execution on affected TP-Link Archer AX53 routers.

Affected Products

• TP-Link Archer AX53 v1.0 (hardware)
• TP-Link Archer AX53 firmware v1.0 through 1.3.1 Build 20241120
• tmpserver module on affected firmware builds

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-03 - CVE-2025-59482 published to NVD
• 2026-03-16 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-59482

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability exists in the tmpserver modules of the Archer AX53 firmware. The tmpserver component handles inbound network packets and writes packet field data into a heap-allocated buffer without enforcing the expected length boundary. When a field whose length exceeds the maximum expected value is processed, the write operation overflows adjacent heap memory.

The attacker must be authenticated and positioned on an adjacent network, such as the router's Wi-Fi or LAN segment. Successful exploitation corrupts heap metadata or adjacent allocations, which can crash the tmpserver process or allow control of execution flow. The Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability impacts are all rated High in the CVSS vector, reflecting the potential for arbitrary code execution within the router environment.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing or insufficient length validation on a packet field before it is copied into a fixed-size heap buffer. The tmpserver parser trusts the supplied length rather than bounding the copy operation to the destination buffer size, producing a classic heap-based buffer overflow [CWE-122].

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires network adjacency and valid authentication to the router. An attacker on the same LAN or Wi-Fi segment, after authenticating, sends a crafted packet to the tmpserver service containing an oversized field. The malformed input triggers the out-of-bounds heap write, leading to a segmentation fault or, with sufficient control over the overflow data, arbitrary code execution. No public proof-of-concept is currently available. Refer to the Talos Vulnerability Report TALOS-2025-2283 for additional technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-59482

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected crashes, restarts, or watchdog resets of the tmpserver process or the router itself.
• Unusual inbound traffic targeting the tmpserver service from authenticated LAN or Wi-Fi clients.
• Anomalous outbound connections from the router to unfamiliar external hosts following an authentication event.

Detection Strategies

• Monitor router system logs and syslog forwarders for repeated tmpserver segmentation faults or service restarts.
• Inspect LAN traffic for malformed packets directed at TP-Link management services with abnormally long field values.
• Correlate router authentication events with subsequent crash or reboot events to identify possible exploitation attempts.

Monitoring Recommendations

• Forward router logs to a centralized logging or SIEM platform for retention and anomaly analysis.
• Track firmware version inventory across managed routers to ensure timely patch coverage.
• Establish baseline behavior for router management services and alert on deviations such as unexpected service restarts.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-59482

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Archer AX53 v1.0 devices to the latest firmware released by TP-Link as listed on the TP-Link Archer AX53 Firmware Download page.
• Rotate router administrative credentials and enforce strong, unique passwords to reduce the authenticated-attacker risk.
• Restrict management interface access to trusted hosts and disable remote management where not required.
• Segment IoT and guest networks from sensitive corporate or user segments to limit adjacent-network exposure.

Patch Information

TP-Link has published guidance and updated firmware for the Archer AX53. Review the TP-Link FAQ on Security and the Talos Vulnerability Report TALOS-2025-2283 for fixed-version information, then apply the latest firmware available from the TP-Link Archer AX53 Firmware Download portal.

Workarounds

• Disable any non-essential services exposed by the router, including remote management and unused administrative interfaces.
• Limit Wi-Fi access using WPA2/WPA3 with strong pre-shared keys and isolate untrusted clients on a guest SSID.
• Apply firewall rules on upstream gateways to restrict lateral traffic toward router management ports.
• Replace end-of-life or unsupported hardware revisions with currently supported models if patches are unavailable.

# Configuration example: verify firmware version and disable remote management via TP-Link web UI
# 1. Log in to the router at http://tplinkwifi.net
# 2. Navigate to: Advanced > System Tools > Firmware Upgrade
#    Confirm the current firmware version is later than 1.3.1 Build 20241120
# 3. Navigate to: Advanced > System Tools > Administration
#    Under 'Remote Management', set Access to 'Disabled'
# 4. Navigate to: Advanced > Wireless > Wireless Settings
#    Ensure Security is set to WPA2-PSK[AES] or WPA3-Personal with a strong passphrase