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No longer safe

Well-known manufacturer calls for the disposal of certain routers

D-Link currently warns against continuing to use certain routers
D-Link currently warns against continuing to use certain routers Photo: Getty Images

November 22, 2024, 10:35 am | Read time: 2 minutes

Technical devices usually receive updates to provide them with new functions and to keep them as secure as possible for as long as possible. However, these updates expire at some point, and the devices become insecure. This is currently the case with routers from a well-known manufacturer.

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D-Link is one of the better-known providers of routers on the market. The manufacturer sells its devices not only in Europe but also in the USA. However, users should now check which model they are using exactly. In a current security notice, D-Link calls for certain routers to be taken out of service and replaced with newer models.

The reason for this notice is a vulnerability recently discovered by security researcher “delsploit.” This allows attackers to remotely execute malicious code on the affected models by using a buffer overflow. According to D-Link, however, only older routers that already have EOL status are affected.

EOL stands for “End of Life” and refers to devices that are no longer receiving security patches or updates. In these cases, manufacturers usually discontinue all development and customer support. Corresponding routers are, therefore, decommissioned and are no longer supported by the manufacturer. Accordingly, D-Link will not provide a patch for the security vulnerability and therefore recommends that users take the affected routers out of service and replace them. Any further use of the products is a risk for the devices connected to them, according to the manufacturer.

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In its current security notice, D-Link lists six routers that have EOL status and are affected by the security vulnerability. These are the following models:

  • DSR-150
  • DSR-150N
  • DSR-250
  • DSR-250N
  • DSR-500N
  • DSR-1000N

While the 150 and 250 models reached EOL status at the beginning of 2024, the last two routers on the list were retired much earlier. They have not received any updates since the fall of 2015.

In principle, manufacturers always recommend operating routers with the latest firmware. This is the only way to ensure that they are up to date in terms of security. Vulnerabilities can then be fixed comparatively reliably and quickly. AVM also lists the devices on its website that are now outdated and should therefore be replaced. If users have such a router in operation, they should look for an alternative, newer model.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of TECHBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@techbook.de.

Topics News Router Security
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