CVE-2026-22214: CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow in RIOT RIOT OS
RIOT OS versions up to and including 2026.01-devel-317 contain a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in the ethos utility due to missing bounds checking when processing incoming serial frame data. The vulnerability occurs in the _handle_char() function, where incoming frame bytes are appended to a fixed-size stack buffer without verifying that the current write index remains within bounds. An attacker capable of sending crafted serial or TCP-framed input can cause the current write index to exceed the buffer size, resulting in a write past the end of the stack buffer. This condition leads to memory corruption and application crash.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-22214 is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in RIOT OS's ethos utility due to inadequate bounds checking in the _handle_char() function. Incoming frame bytes are appended to a fixed-size stack buffer without verifying that the write index remains within the buffer limits. This allows an attacker capable of sending crafted serial or TCP-framed input to overflow the buffer, causing memory corruption and potential application crashes. The vulnerability affects RIOT OS versions up to and including 2026.01-devel-317. No patch or vendor advisory is provided in the input data.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation can lead to memory corruption and application crashes in the ethos utility of RIOT OS. This may disrupt normal operation of the affected system. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 6.8 (medium severity), reflecting network attack vector with low attack complexity, requiring low privileges and user interaction, and high impact on availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Since no patch or official fix information is provided, users should monitor vendor communications for updates. Until a fix is available, avoid exposing the ethos utility to untrusted serial or TCP-framed inputs that could trigger the vulnerability.
CVE-2026-22214: CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow in RIOT RIOT OS
Description
RIOT OS versions up to and including 2026.01-devel-317 contain a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in the ethos utility due to missing bounds checking when processing incoming serial frame data. The vulnerability occurs in the _handle_char() function, where incoming frame bytes are appended to a fixed-size stack buffer without verifying that the current write index remains within bounds. An attacker capable of sending crafted serial or TCP-framed input can cause the current write index to exceed the buffer size, resulting in a write past the end of the stack buffer. This condition leads to memory corruption and application crash.
CVSS v4.0
Score 6.8medium
Affected software
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-22214 is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in RIOT OS's ethos utility due to inadequate bounds checking in the _handle_char() function. Incoming frame bytes are appended to a fixed-size stack buffer without verifying that the write index remains within the buffer limits. This allows an attacker capable of sending crafted serial or TCP-framed input to overflow the buffer, causing memory corruption and potential application crashes. The vulnerability affects RIOT OS versions up to and including 2026.01-devel-317. No patch or vendor advisory is provided in the input data.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation can lead to memory corruption and application crashes in the ethos utility of RIOT OS. This may disrupt normal operation of the affected system. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 6.8 (medium severity), reflecting network attack vector with low attack complexity, requiring low privileges and user interaction, and high impact on availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Since no patch or official fix information is provided, users should monitor vendor communications for updates. Until a fix is available, avoid exposing the ethos utility to untrusted serial or TCP-framed inputs that could trigger the vulnerability.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- VulnCheck
- Date Reserved
- 2026-01-06T16:47:17.187Z
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 69658281da2266e838450d2e
Added to database: 01/12/2026, 23:23:45 UTC
Last enriched: 07/15/2026, 11:01:31 UTC
Last updated: 09/10/2026, 19:36:52 UTC
Views: 243
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