NULL pointer write in ESPAsyncWebServer multipart parser
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Denial of service
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · None · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-476.
Summary
ESP32Async ESPAsyncWebServer before 3.11.2 has a NULL pointer dereference (CWE-476) in its multipart parser. The parser frees a buffer and then writes to it through a null pointer when bytes after a file part's closing boundary are malformed. A remote unauthenticated attacker can crash an ESP32 device and force a reboot by sending a crafted request to a route with a file upload or web OTA handler.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-30
Description from the CNA
ESPAsyncWebServer is an asynchronous HTTP and WebSocket server library for ESP32, ESP8266, RP2040 and RP2350. Prior to version 3.11.2, the multipart parser in `src/WebRequest.cpp` frees `_itemBuffer` and sets it to NULL when `BOUNDARY_OR_DATA` matches the closing boundary of a file part, before confirming the following terminator, while leaving `_itemIsFile` true. If the next byte is neither the final closing dashes nor a clean CRLF, the `DASH3_OR_RETURN2` or `EXPECT_FEED2` rewind branch re-injects provisionally consumed bytes through `itemWriteByte`. Because `_itemIsFile` remains true, `_itemBuffer`[`_itemBufferIndex`++] writes through a null pointer. On ESP32 this causes a `StoreProhibited` exception, panic and device reboot, producing remote denial of service. A route with a non-trivial body/upload handler, such as a file-upload or web-OTA endpoint, must be present. This issue is fixed in version 3.11.2.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- Yes
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESP32Async | ESPAsyncWebServer | before 3.11.2 | 3.11.2 | Patch available | CNA |
- ESPAsyncWebServer VendorESP32Async Affected before 3.11.2 Fixed in 3.11.2 Patch available CNA
Remediation
Update ESPAsyncWebServer to version 3.11.2, which fixes this issue.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-30
- Fix · CNA ESPAsyncWebServer (ESP32Async) Fixed in 3.11.2
Timeline
- 2026-10-30 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-62966
- 2026-11-01 Priority changed: MEDIUM → LOW
- 2026-11-06 CISA SSVC decision points changed
References
More ESP32Async vulnerabilities
- TI-2025-33087 ESPAsyncWebServer Vulnerable to CRLF Injection in AsyncWebHeader.cpp CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.7
- TI-2026-39406 ESPAsyncWebServer: Integer overflow in multipart boundary parser causes denial of service CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.7
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences