CVE-2018-7445: MikroTik RouterOS Stack-Based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2018-7445 is a high (CVSS 10.0) vulnerability in MikroTik RouterOS. It is known to be exploited: CISA lists it, first on 08-09-2022. EPSS estimates a 60.81% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 99.1% of scored vulnerabilities. 3 public exploits are recorded.

Timeline

1. 19-03-2018
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 08-09-2022
   Added to CISA KEVMikroTik RouterOS Stack-Based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
3. 29-09-2022
   CISA remediation dueApply updates per vendor instructions.
4. 21-10-2025
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

A buffer overflow was found in the MikroTik RouterOS SMB service when processing NetBIOS session request messages. Remote attackers with access to the service can exploit this vulnerability and gain code execution on the system. The overflow occurs before authentication takes place, so it is possible for an unauthenticated remote attacker to exploit it. All architectures and all devices running RouterOS before versions 6.41.3/6.42rc27 are vulnerable.

• CWE-119Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory BufferThe product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it reads from or writes to a memory location outside the buffer's intended boundary. This may result in read or write operations on unexpected memory locations that could be linked to other variables, data structures, or internal program data.