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Actively exploited

CVE-2021-27137 DD-WRT Stack-Based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

DD-WRT contains a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated attacker to overflow an internal buffer used by UPnP and trigger a code execution vulnerability.

From the CISA KEV catalogue version 2026.11.06, with Cybergen analysis. Updated 6 Nov 2026.

Our Assessment

Should You Worry?

Patch urgentlyCybergen assessment
  • CISA confirmed exploitation in the wild and added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on 21 Jul 2026.
  • Rated High severity (CVSS 8.1, scored by Vendor).
  • It has been in the catalogue for 108 days. Systems still unpatched now have almost certainly been scanned for it.
The Vulnerability

What It Is

An issue was discovered in router/upnp/src/ssdp.c in DD-WRT before 45724. An unsafe strcpy in the UPnP handling functionality allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to send a request that would overflow an internal fixed buffer. Exploitation requires the DD-WRT user to enable UPnP (which is off by default, and only listens on internal interfaces by default). This occurs in ssdp_msearch (reachable by an M-SEARCH request).

Affected Versions

ProductVersions
DD-WRT DD-WRTbefore 45724

From the public CVE record, as supplied by the vendor. Always confirm against the vendor advisory.

From Watch to Action

What To Do Now

  1. 1

    Find it

    Search your asset inventory and external attack surface for DD-WRT. Include cloud images, appliances and anything a supplier runs for you.

    Attack Surface Management
  2. 2

    Fix it

    Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.

    Vulnerability Management
  3. 3

    Hunt for compromise

    If an affected system was reachable before you patched, assume it may have been hit. Check logs, new accounts, web shells and outbound connections from the date of exposure.

    Incident Response
  4. 4

    Prove it is fixed

    Rescan or test the system after patching. Upgrades that fail silently and forgotten secondary instances are common.

    Penetration Testing

Vendor Advisories

Regulation

The Compliance Clock

Cyber EssentialsRated high, so if it affects devices in your Cyber Essentials scope, the update must be installed within 14 days of the vendor releasing it.NIS2If exploitation causes a significant incident, essential and important entities owe their CSIRT an early warning within 24 hours and a notification within 72 hours.DORAFinancial entities must classify ICT incidents and send an initial notification for a major incident within strict deadlines, with exploited flaws a common cause.US federal (BOD 22-01)Federal civilian agencies had until 24 Jul 2026 to remediate. A sensible benchmark for everyone else.

General guidance, not legal advice. Your obligations depend on your sector, scope and jurisdiction.

Stay Ahead

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Evidence

Sources

  1. CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue
  2. NVD: CVE-2021-27137
  3. CVE record: CVE-2021-27137
  4. FIRST EPSS
  5. svn.dd-wrt.com/changeset/45724
  6. ssd-disclosure.com/ssd-advisory-dd-wrt-upnp-buffer-overflow/
  7. securityaffairs.com/193290/uncategorized/iot-botnet-c0xmo-adds-competitor-killing-capability.html
  8. bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/c0xmo-botnet-spreads-via-dd-wrt-router-flaw-kills-rival-malware/
  9. fortinet.com/blog/threat-research/inside-cross-platform-propagation-of-new-gafgyt-variant-c0xmo