CVE-2025-61944 – A heap-based buffer overflow in TP-Link Archer ... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2025-61944?

CVE-2025-61944 has a CVSS score of 8.0 (HIGH). A heap-based buffer overflow in TP-Link Archer AX53 v1.0's tmpserver modules allows authenticated attackers on the same network to crash the device or potentially execute arbitrary code by sending specially crafted packets with excessive zero-length fields. This affects Archer AX53 v1.0 routers running firmware versions up to 1.3.1 Build 20241120.

📋 TL;DR

A heap-based buffer overflow in TP-Link Archer AX53 v1.0's tmpserver modules allows authenticated attackers on the same network to crash the device or potentially execute arbitrary code by sending specially crafted packets with excessive zero-length fields. This affects Archer AX53 v1.0 routers running firmware versions up to 1.3.1 Build 20241120.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

TP-Link Archer AX53 v1.0

Versions: through 1.3.1 Build 20241120

Operating Systems: Embedded firmware

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires attacker to be authenticated on the local network; tmpserver modules handle temporary file operations

📦 What is this software?

Archer Ax53 Firmware by Tp Link

View all CVEs affecting Archer Ax53 Firmware →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Remote code execution leading to full device compromise, persistence, and lateral movement within the network

🟠

Likely Case

Denial of service (device crash/reboot) disrupting network connectivity

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited to denial of service if exploit attempts are blocked or fail

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW (requires adjacent network access, not directly internet exploitable)

🏢 Internal Only: HIGH (exploitable by any authenticated user on the local network)

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires crafting specific network packets with excessive zero-length fields; authentication needed

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Check TP-Link firmware updates after 1.3.1 Build 20241120

Vendor Advisory: https://www.tp-link.com/en/support/faq/4943/

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Visit TP-Link support page for Archer AX53 v1.0. 2. Download latest firmware. 3. Log into router admin interface. 4. Navigate to System Tools > Firmware Upgrade. 5. Upload and install new firmware. 6. Router will reboot automatically.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Network Segmentation

all

Isolate router management interface to trusted VLAN/subnet

Access Control

all

Restrict local network access to trusted devices only

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Replace vulnerable router with updated model or different vendor
Implement strict network monitoring for abnormal tmpserver traffic

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check firmware version in router admin interface under System Tools > Firmware Upgrade

Check Version:

Not applicable (web interface check only)

Verify Fix Applied:

Confirm firmware version is newer than 1.3.1 Build 20241120

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Repeated tmpserver crashes
Unexpected router reboots
Failed authentication attempts

Network Indicators:

Unusual tmpserver protocol traffic
Packets with excessive zero-length fields

SIEM Query:

Not applicable (embedded device logs limited)

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2025-61944

CVSS v3 Score: 8.0 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-122

EPSS Score: 0.03% exploit probability (8.3th percentile)

Published: February 3, 2026

Last Updated: February 11, 2026

🔗 References

https://talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/ Third Party Advisory
https://www.tp-link.com/en/support/download/archer-ax53/v1/#Firmware Product
https://www.tp-link.com/my/support/download/archer-ax53/v1/#Firmware Product
https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/4943/ Vendor Advisory

📤 Share & Export

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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