Vulnerability Description
odhcpd is the DHCPv6, DHCPv4, and router-advertisement server used by OpenWrt. Prior to version 25.12, odhcpd's DHCPv6 IA handler keeps a per-message `first` lease pointer so multiple IA options in one message reuse the same Reconfigure authentication key. A DHCPv6 REQUEST from an adjacent-network client can make the first IA set `first`, then make a later same-IAID IA fail the on-link check and free that same lease, leaving `first` dangling. A following IA in the same packet allocates a new lease and copies `first->key`, producing a 16-byte heap-use-after-free read. ASan confirms the UAF; native tracing shows the packet shape can deterministically reclaim the freed lease as the destination allocation, producing a zeroed Reconfigure key copy. The validated impact is unauthenticated adjacent-network denial of service and DHCPv6 Reconfigure/ForceRenew key confusion. Arbitrary PC control is not proven for this UAF alone. This issue has been patched in version 25.12.
Related Weaknesses (CWE)
References
- https://github.com/openwrt/odhcpd/commit/26b122007030ebf192376aff8f98d428b25e2a9
- https://github.com/openwrt/odhcpd/commit/5b283832c0a77aed20f1cc384ffc40bc768b06e
- https://github.com/openwrt/odhcpd/security/advisories/GHSA-44ff-jcwh-wgc2
- https://github.com/openwrt/odhcpd/security/advisories/GHSA-44ff-jcwh-wgc2
FAQ
What is CVE-2026-53918?
CVE-2026-53918 is a documented vulnerability. odhcpd is the DHCPv6, DHCPv4, and router-advertisement server used by OpenWrt. Prior to version 25.12, odhcpd's DHCPv6 IA handler keeps a per-message `first` lease pointer so multiple IA options in on...
How severe is CVE-2026-53918?
CVSS scoring is not yet available for CVE-2026-53918. Check NVD for updates.
Is there a patch for CVE-2026-53918?
Check the references section above for vendor advisories and patch information. Review vendor security bulletins for remediation guidance.