Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2013-4656 describes a symlink traversal problem in the SMB file-sharing service on ASUS RT-AC66U and RT-N56U routers. In plain terms, a file-sharing misconfiguration may let someone with SMB access reach files outside the intended shared location. The source bundle does not provide severity, affected firmware versions, or a confirmed vendor fix.
Executive priority
Prioritize discovery over emergency response. Escalate if these legacy routers support business networks and expose SMB to untrusted users, guest Wi-Fi, or shared internal segments.
Technical view
The record identifies symlink traversal in ASUS RT-AC66U and RT-N56U SMB service configuration. The available metadata lacks CVSS, CWE mapping, exact firmware ranges, prerequisites, and remediation details. Treat exposure as dependent on whether SMB/file sharing is enabled and reachable by untrusted users or compromised internal systems.
Likely exposure
Likely limited to environments still operating ASUS RT-AC66U or RT-N56U routers with SMB/file sharing enabled. The bundle does not confirm whether exposure is default, LAN-only, wireless-accessible, or Internet-facing.
Exploitation context
The CVE is not listed as KEV in the provided bundle, and no cited source states active exploitation. Public ISE research references the issue, but the bundle does not establish weaponization, exploit availability, or real-world targeting.
Researcher notes
Evidence is thin: the CVE record names the models and SMB symlink traversal class but omits versions, scoring, and fixed builds. Avoid assuming exploitability beyond SMB reachability and model presence unless confirmed through vendor documentation or lab validation.
Mitigation direction
- Identify any ASUS RT-AC66U or RT-N56U routers still in service.
- Check ASUS firmware and security guidance before relying on any fix.
- Disable SMB/file sharing where it is not operationally required.
- Restrict SMB access to trusted management networks only.
- Retire unsupported router models if no vendor-supported fix exists.
Validation and detection
- Inventory affected ASUS router models across offices, labs, and remote sites.
- Confirm whether SMB/file sharing is enabled on each device.
- Verify which users or network segments can reach SMB.
- Review shares for unintended access outside approved directories.
- Compare installed firmware with ASUS guidance and available release notes.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CVE-2013-4656 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.ise.io/casestudies/exploiting-soho-routers/CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://www.ise.io/soho_service_hacks/CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://www.ise.io/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/soho_techreport.pdfCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.