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Broadcom Wi-Fi Chipset Flaw Allows Hackers to Disrupt Networks

0
Low
Vulnerability
Published: Tue Jan 13 2026 (01/13/2026, 14:10:46 UTC)
Source: SecurityWeek

Description

A vulnerability in Broadcom Wi-Fi chipsets, initially discovered in Asus routers, allows attackers to disrupt network operations across all devices using the affected chipset. Although the severity is currently rated low and no known exploits are reported in the wild, the flaw could enable denial-of-service conditions or network instability. The vulnerability impacts the availability of network services and could affect a broad range of consumer and enterprise devices relying on Broadcom Wi-Fi components. European organizations using affected hardware may experience network disruptions, impacting business continuity. Mitigation requires identifying devices with the vulnerable chipset and applying vendor-specific patches or firmware updates once available. Countries with high adoption of Asus routers and Broadcom chipset-based devices, such as Germany, France, and the UK, are more likely to be affected. Given the ease of exploitation and scope, the threat severity is assessed as medium. Defenders should prioritize network monitoring and vendor communication to mitigate potential disruptions.

AI-Powered Analysis

AILast updated: 01/13/2026, 14:26:01 UTC

Technical Analysis

The reported vulnerability affects Broadcom Wi-Fi chipsets embedded in various networking devices, including Asus routers. This flaw enables attackers to disrupt network connectivity, potentially causing denial-of-service (DoS) conditions by exploiting weaknesses in the chipset's handling of Wi-Fi traffic or management frames. While the exact technical details and attack vectors are not disclosed, the chipset-level nature of the vulnerability implies that all devices using the affected Broadcom components are susceptible, not just Asus routers. The vulnerability primarily impacts network availability, as attackers could send crafted packets to destabilize or crash the Wi-Fi interface, leading to network outages or degraded performance. No known exploits have been observed in the wild, and the severity is currently rated low by the source; however, the broad device impact and potential for network disruption warrant attention. The lack of a CVSS score and patch links suggests that vendors may still be developing or distributing fixes. Organizations relying on affected hardware should monitor vendor advisories and prepare for firmware updates. The chipset's widespread use in consumer and enterprise-grade devices increases the potential attack surface, making this a relevant concern for network administrators and security teams.

Potential Impact

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to intermittent or sustained network outages, affecting business operations, communications, and access to critical services. Enterprises with large deployments of affected routers or Wi-Fi access points may experience reduced productivity and increased support costs due to network instability. Critical infrastructure sectors relying on stable wireless connectivity could face operational disruptions. Although the vulnerability does not appear to allow data exfiltration or privilege escalation, the impact on availability alone can have significant consequences, especially in environments requiring high uptime. The potential for widespread disruption is heightened in organizations using Broadcom chipset-based devices extensively, including SMEs and public sector entities. Network reliability degradation could also indirectly increase exposure to other threats by forcing fallback to less secure communication methods or causing misconfigurations during recovery efforts.

Mitigation Recommendations

Organizations should first inventory all network devices to identify those using Broadcom Wi-Fi chipsets, particularly focusing on Asus routers and other known affected hardware. Immediate mitigation includes applying any available firmware updates or patches from device manufacturers as soon as they are released. In the absence of patches, network administrators should consider segmenting vulnerable devices, limiting their exposure to untrusted networks, and implementing strict access controls. Monitoring network traffic for unusual patterns or spikes in Wi-Fi management frames can help detect exploitation attempts. Employing network redundancy and failover mechanisms can reduce the impact of potential disruptions. Coordination with vendors for timely updates and participation in information sharing forums will enhance preparedness. Additionally, educating IT staff about this vulnerability and its symptoms will improve incident response capabilities.

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Threat ID: 696655e4a60475309f434006

Added to database: 1/13/2026, 2:25:40 PM

Last enriched: 1/13/2026, 2:26:01 PM

Last updated: 1/14/2026, 1:25:10 AM

Views: 5

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