CVE-2025-58455 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified in the TP-Link Archer AX53 v1.0 router, specifically within the tmpserver module. This vulnerability occurs when the device processes a network packet whose length exceeds the maximum expected value, leading to memory corruption on the heap. The flaw allows an authenticated attacker with adjacent network access to trigger a segmentation fault, which can cause denial of service, or potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects firmware versions through 1.3.1 Build 20241120. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 7.3, indicating high severity, with attack vector classified as adjacent network, high attack complexity, no user interaction, and requiring high privileges. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability with high scope and impact metrics. No public exploits are currently known, but the potential for remote code execution makes this a significant threat. The tmpserver module likely handles administrative or management functions, making exploitation particularly dangerous. The vulnerability's requirement for authentication and adjacency limits exposure but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where internal network segmentation is weak or where attackers have gained initial footholds. The absence of patches at the time of reporting necessitates proactive defensive measures.

For European organizations, exploitation of CVE-2025-58455 could lead to severe consequences including unauthorized control over affected routers, disruption of network services through crashes, and potential lateral movement within internal networks. Confidentiality could be compromised if attackers execute arbitrary code to intercept or manipulate traffic. Integrity of network configurations and data could be undermined, impacting business operations and trust. Availability risks arise from forced reboots or crashes caused by segmentation faults. Organizations relying on TP-Link Archer AX53 routers in critical infrastructure, enterprise, or government networks may face increased risk of targeted attacks. The requirement for authenticated adjacent access somewhat limits remote exploitation but insider threats or compromised devices within the local network could exploit this vulnerability. The lack of known exploits currently provides a window for mitigation, but the high severity score indicates that once exploited, the impact could be substantial.

1. Immediately restrict administrative access to the TP-Link Archer AX53 routers to trusted and segmented network zones, minimizing adjacency exposure. 2. Implement strong authentication mechanisms and monitor for unusual login attempts or administrative activity on the routers. 3. Employ network segmentation and zero-trust principles to limit lateral movement opportunities for attackers within internal networks. 4. Monitor network traffic for anomalous packets targeting the tmpserver module or unusual packet lengths that could indicate exploitation attempts. 5. Regularly check for and apply firmware updates or patches from TP-Link as soon as they become available to remediate the vulnerability. 6. Consider deploying intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) with signatures or heuristics capable of detecting exploitation attempts targeting heap overflows in router management modules. 7. Conduct internal audits to identify all deployments of Archer AX53 routers and prioritize remediation in critical environments. 8. Educate network administrators about the vulnerability and enforce strict operational security policies to reduce risk of credential compromise.