Appsecure logo

CVE-2022-27255: Critical Vulnerability in Realtek eCos RSDK and MSDK

CVE-2022-27255 is a critical stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Realtek's eCos RSDK and MSDK. This flaw could allow remote code execution without authentication. Immediate patching is essential.

CRITICALPublic ExploitCVSS 9.8 · Published August 1, 2022

Not a customer? See how AppSecure simulates real world attacks to protect your infrastructure.

Speak to Experts

CVE-2022-27255 is a critical vulnerability affecting Realtek eCos RSDK version 1.5.7p1 and MSDK version 4.9.4p1. This vulnerability allows an attacker to exploit a stack-based buffer overflow in the SIP ALG function that rewrites SDP data. By sending a crafted SIP packet containing malicious SDP data, an attacker can remotely execute code without authentication. The CVSS score of 9.8 indicates a critical severity level, highlighting the serious risk this vulnerability poses.

Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive systems, leading to data breaches or service disruptions. The ability to execute arbitrary code remotely without authentication significantly amplifies the threat landscape, making immediate remediation critical.

As of now, there is a known exploit available, which heightens the urgency for organizations to patch this vulnerability. Organizations must prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

This vulnerability has been classified under CWE-20, indicating improper input validation, which is a common weakness in software vulnerabilities. Given its critical nature, organizations should ensure they are aware of their exposure and take necessary actions to secure their systems.

Vulnerability Details

The official CVE description notes that the SIP ALG function in Realtek's firmware versions contains a stack-based buffer overflow. This flaw can be exploited without any required privileges or user interaction, allowing attackers to achieve a high level of impact in terms of confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

The vulnerability was published on August 1, 2022, and has been modified since its original disclosure. The critical severity is underscored by a CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8, which reflects the high impact and low complexity of the attack vector.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of this vulnerability is a lack of proper validation in the SIP ALG function, which leads to a stack-based buffer overflow. The attack vector is network-based, requiring low complexity to exploit, and no privileges or user interaction are necessary. This means that a malicious actor can send a specially crafted SIP packet from anywhere over the network.

The high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are concerning, as attackers may manipulate system behavior or access sensitive information. Organizations should assess their systems for this vulnerability, especially if they are using the affected Realtek firmware versions.

Risk & Impact Analysis

The deployment risk associated with CVE-2022-27255 is substantial. Given that this vulnerability allows remote code execution without authentication, the potential for exploitation is high, especially for devices exposed to the internet. Organizations that utilize Realtek's firmware must consider the blast radius, which could extend to critical infrastructure if exploited.

Urgency for remediation is critical, as the vulnerability is actively known and has a high exploitability score. Organizations should prioritize patching in their security practices to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches.

Signal

Status

Known Exploit

Yes

Public PoC

Yes

Actively Exploited

No

Ransomware Use

No

Affected Versions

The affected versions include Realtek eCos RSDK firmware version 1.5.7p1 and MSDK firmware version 4.9.4p1. Organizations using these versions should prioritize updates to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability.

Mitigation & Remediation

Organizations are advised to apply the latest patches provided by Realtek. They should ensure to upgrade to the latest firmware version that addresses this vulnerability. If patching is not immediately possible, organizations should consider implementing network controls to restrict unauthorized access and monitor for any unusual activity. Regular security assessments can also help in identifying and mitigating potential vulnerabilities.

For more comprehensive security testing, organizations should consider engaging in penetration testing to validate the effectiveness of remediation efforts.

Detection Guidance

Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of exploitation attempts, including unusual SIP traffic or malformed SIP packets. Behavioral anomalies in network traffic and system performance should also be closely monitored to detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

CVE-2022-27255 serves as a reminder of the critical nature of input validation in network protocols. As attackers continue to find vulnerabilities that allow remote code execution, security teams must remain vigilant about the types of data processed by their systems. Regular security audits and updates can help mitigate such risks.

To enhance security posture, organizations should adopt a comprehensive vulnerability management program that includes frequent penetration testing and risk assessments.

Security teams should also consider resources on penetration testing methodology to stay updated on best practices for identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities.

Finally, organizations should be aware of the evolving threat landscape, and ensure that they have the right cloud security assessment strategies in place to protect their infrastructure.

Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

Latest CVEs. Recently published vulnerabilities from the NVD database.

View all vulnerabilities
CVE IDSeverity
CVE-2025-65418HIGH
CVE-2025-65417MEDIUM
CVE-2025-65416MEDIUM
CVE-2025-65415MEDIUM
CVE-2025-61314HIGH

Protect Your Business with Hacker-Focused Approach.