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CVE-2016-5681

Published: Aug 25, 2016Updated: May 6, 2026 Sources: CVE List NVDCWE-119
9.8CRITICAL
NVD MITRE
EPSS Score
11.9%
Top 4.3%
CISA KEV
Not in KEV
Exploits
No Known Exploits
Remediation
Patch Available
Self-Check
Not available

Description

Stack-based buffer overflow in dws/api/Login on D-Link DIR-850L B1 2.07 before 2.07WWB05, DIR-817 Ax, DIR-818LW Bx before 2.05b03beta03, DIR-822 C1 3.01 before 3.01WWb02, DIR-823 A1 1.00 before 1.00WWb05, DIR-895L A1 1.11 before 1.11WWb04, DIR-890L A1 1.09 before 1.09b14, DIR-885L A1 1.11 before 1.11WWb07, DIR-880L A1 1.07 before 1.07WWb08, DIR-868L B1 2.03 before 2.03WWb01, and DIR-868L C1 3.00 before 3.00WWb01 devices allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long session cookie.

In plain language

AI Act now

This is a dangerous remote “crash or takeover” bug in certain D-Link router firmware login features; if you run one of the affected models and your firmware is older than the listed fixed builds, you should take action immediately.

Executive summary

CVE-2016-5681 is a network-reachable stack-based buffer overflow in the dws/api/Login endpoint on affected D-Link DIR router firmware, triggered without authentication by sending an abnormally long session cookie, leading to remote code execution.

If affected, business impact
Full router compromiseNetwork traffic interceptionDevice downtimeRansomware-style disruption

What to do now

  1. Identify which model you have and check its current firmware version in the router’s admin interface.
  2. Compare your firmware against the affected ranges in the CVE description (older than the fixed builds).
  3. If your device is affected, upgrade firmware to the fixed release referenced by D-Link in SAP10063.
  4. After upgrading, reboot the router and verify remote admin/login still works normally.
  5. If you cannot upgrade quickly, disable any features that expose the router’s login/admin services to the internet (access from outside your network).
Patch / advisory Some work to apply

CVSS Vector Breakdown

AV:NAC:LPR:NUI:NS:UC:HI:HA:H
Exploitability
AV:NAttack Vector
Network
AC:LAttack Complexity
Low
PR:NPrivileges Required
None
UI:NUser Interaction
None
Scope
S:UScope
Unchanged
Impact
C:HConfidentiality
High
I:HIntegrity
High
A:HAvailability
High
Open in CVSS calculator →

Weaknesses

CWE-119

Affected Products

d-link
commercial·TW
dir-880l firmware
Networking Infrastructure
dir-850l firmare
Networking Infrastructure
dir-895l firmware
Networking Infrastructure
dir-817l\(w\) firmware
Networking Infrastructure
dir-818l\(w\) firmware
Networking Infrastructure
dir-890l firmware
Networking Infrastructure
dir-823 firmware
Networking Infrastructure
dir-885l firmware
Networking Infrastructure
dlink
commercial·TW
dir-868l firmware
Networking Infrastructure
dir-822 firmware
Networking Infrastructure
and 1 more affected products View all →

Exploitability

Official Patch Available
Is your org exposed to CVE-2016-5681?We can run the check for you — a free external exposure review, no install. Check my exposure

Attack Graph

Products CVE Techniques Tactics

Click technique nodes for MITRE ATT&CK details · drag to pan · Ctrl/⌘ + scroll to zoom, or go fullscreen.

MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques
Initial Access
Privilege Escalation
View detailed technique mapping

References

http://supportannouncement.us.dlink.com/announcement/publication.aspx?name=SAP10063
supportannouncement.us.dlink.com
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/332115
kb.cert.org
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/92427
securityfocus.com
News mentions
4

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