CVE-2026-45160: ESF-IDF: Out-of-bounds Read in lwIP DHCP Server Option Parser

Published Jun 10, 2026

Updated

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 (parseoptions() 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.

Affected Software

6 affected components

Espressif ESP-IDF=5.2.7, =5.3.5, =5.4.4, =5.5.4, =6.0.1

Espressif ESP-IDF=5.2.7

Espressif ESP-IDF=5.3.5

Espressif ESP-IDF=5.4.4

Espressif ESP-IDF=5.5.4

Espressif ESP-IDF=6.0.1

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

Upgrade
Upgrade ESP-IDF to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.2.8
Upgrade
Upgrade ESP-IDF to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.3.6
Upgrade
Upgrade ESP-IDF to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.4.5
Upgrade
Upgrade ESP-IDF to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 5.5.5
Upgrade
Upgrade ESP-IDF to a version that resolves this vulnerability.
Fixed in 6.0.2
Compensating control
Do not run the device as a DHCP server (including ESP-IDF SoftAP DHCP) until it is updated to one of the fixed versions above; restrict network exposure of affected devices to trusted hosts/networks.

Event History

Jun 10, 2026

CVE Published

via MITRE·12:26 AM

Data Sourced

via MITRE·12:26 AM

DescriptionSeverityWeakness

Data Sourced

via NVD·02:16 AM

RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2026-45160?

The severity of CVE-2026-45160 is medium with a score of 6.5.

What does CVE-2026-45160 affect?

CVE-2026-45160 affects the Espressif Internet of Things Development Framework, specifically its lwIP DHCP Server Option Parser.

How do I fix CVE-2026-45160?

To fix CVE-2026-45160, update to version 5.2.8, 5.3.6, 5.4.5, 5.5.5, or 6.0.2 of the Espressif ESP-IDF.

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2026-45160?

CVE-2026-45160 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability.

How is CVE-2026-45160 exploited?

CVE-2026-45160 can be exploited through the vulnerable DHCP server option parser in specific versions of Espressif ESP-IDF.