If left unpatched, CVE-2026-45160 could lead to major system disruptions or data loss.
Status: Received on 10 Jun 2026, 02:16 UTC
Published on: 10 Jun 2026, 02:16 UTC
CVSS Release: version 3
security-advisories@github.com
Secondary
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
CVE-2026-45160: ESF-IDF is the Espressif Internet of Things (IOT) Development Framework. In versions 5.2.7, 5.3.5, 5.4.4, 5.5.4, and 6.0.1, an out-of-bounds read flaw exists in the DHCP server option parser (parse_options() in components/lwip/apps/dhcpserver/dhcpserver.c) shipped with ESP-IDF's lwIP component. The parser walks the BOOTP/DHCP options field without validating that each option's length byte and declared payload length stay within the received packet buffer. A crafted DHCP request can cause the parser to read past the end of the options buffer into adjacent heap memory. The issue affects the DHCP server used by ESP-IDF's SoftAP and any configuration where the device runs as a DHCP server on a local network. This issue has been patched in versions 5.2.8, 5.3.6, 5.4.5, 5.5.5, and 6.0.2.
The exploitability of CVE-2026-45160 depends on two key factors: attack complexity (the level of effort required to execute an exploit) and privileges required (the access level an attacker needs).
With low attack complexity and no required privileges, CVE-2026-45160 is an easy target for cybercriminals. Organizations should prioritize immediate mitigation measures to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches.
A lower complexity and fewer privilege requirements make exploitation easier. Security teams should evaluate these aspects to determine the urgency of mitigation strategies, such as patch management and access control policies.
Attack Complexity (AC) measures the difficulty in executing an exploit. A high AC means that specific conditions must be met, making an attack more challenging, while a low AC means the vulnerability can be exploited with minimal effort.
Privileges Required (PR) determine the level of system access necessary for an attack. Vulnerabilities requiring no privileges are more accessible to attackers, whereas high privilege requirements limit exploitation to authorized users with elevated access.
Above is the CVSS Sub-score Breakdown for CVE-2026-45160, illustrating how Base, Impact, and Exploitability factors combine to form the overall severity rating. A higher sub-score typically indicates a more severe or easier-to-exploit vulnerability.
Below is the Impact Analysis for CVE-2026-45160, showing how Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability might be affected if the vulnerability is exploited. Higher values usually signal greater potential damage.
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