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CVE-2018-14847 — MikroTik RouterOS through 6.42 allows unauthenticated remote attackers to read arbitrary…

Key facts

CVE-2018-14847 is a Critical (9.1) vulnerability: MikroTik RouterOS through 6.42 allows unauthenticated remote attackers to read arbitrary…. This entry ships a detection-only PoC and a Docker test lab. It is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2021-12-01), confirming active exploitation in the wild.

Actively exploited — on the CISA KEV catalog

CVE-2018-14847 is listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2021-12-01), confirming exploitation in the wild. Federal remediation deadline: 2022-06-01. Prioritise patching and deploy the detection and prevention rules below.
CVE CVE-2018-14847
Severity Critical (9.1)
CISA KEV Actively exploited (added 2021-12-01)
Detection / prevention —
PoC poc.py
Source 2018/CVE-2018-14847/

Details

English | 한국어

Description

MikroTik RouterOS through 6.42 allows unauthenticated remote attackers to read arbitrary files and remote authenticated attackers to write arbitrary files due to a directory traversal vulnerability in the WinBox interface.

Vulnerability Details

Property Value
CVE ID CVE-2018-14847
Type PATH_TRAVERSAL
CVSS Score 9.1

Proof of Concept

Download

# Download PoC script
curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/fankh/vulnerability-poc/main/2018/CVE-2018-14847/poc.py

Usage

# Run PoC against target
python3 poc.py --target <TARGET_URL>

# With authentication
python3 poc.py --target <TARGET_URL> --username <USER> --password <PASS>

⚠️ Warning: This PoC is for authorized security testing only. It uses detection-only techniques and does not exploit or damage target systems.

Test Lab

This repository includes a Docker-based test environment with both vulnerable and patched applications.

Quick Start

# Clone and navigate to CVE directory
cd CVE-2018-14847

# Start both applications
docker-compose up -d

# Run tests
./run-tests.sh    # Linux/Mac
./run-tests.ps1   # Windows PowerShell

Application Endpoints

Application URL Status
Vulnerable App http://localhost:8080 Shows vulnerability
Patched App http://localhost:8081 Demonstrates fix

Directory Structure

├── README.md           # English documentation
├── README_KO.md        # Korean documentation
├── poc.py              # PoC detection script
├── docker-compose.yml  # Container orchestration
├── run-tests.sh        # Linux/Mac test runner
├── run-tests.ps1       # Windows test runner
├── vulnerable-app/     # Vulnerable version
│   ├── app.py
│   ├── Dockerfile
│   └── requirements.txt
└── patched-app/        # Fixed version
    ├── app.py
    ├── Dockerfile
    └── requirements.txt

References

  • https://github.com/BasuCert/WinboxPoC
  • https://github.com/BigNerd95/WinboxExploit
  • https://github.com/tenable/routeros/blob/master/bug_hunting_in_routeros_derbycon_2018.pdf
  • https://github.com/tenable/routeros/tree/master/poc/bytheway
  • https://github.com/tenable/routeros/tree/master/poc/cve_2018_14847
  • https://mikrotik.com/supportsec/winbox-vulnerability
  • https://n0p.me/winbox-bug-dissection/
  • https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/45578/
  • https://github.com/BasuCert/WinboxPoC
  • https://github.com/BigNerd95/WinboxExploit
  • https://github.com/tenable/routeros/blob/master/bug_hunting_in_routeros_derbycon_2018.pdf
  • https://github.com/tenable/routeros/tree/master/poc/bytheway
  • https://github.com/tenable/routeros/tree/master/poc/cve_2018_14847
  • https://n0p.me/winbox-bug-dissection/
  • https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/45578/
  • https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2018-14847

Generated by PoC Generator on 2026-07-08T21:23:57.030889116

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2018-14847?

CVE-2018-14847 is a Critical (9.1) vulnerability: MikroTik RouterOS through 6.42 allows unauthenticated remote attackers to read arbitrary…. This entry ships a detection-only PoC and a Docker test lab. It is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog (added 2021-12-01), confirming active exploitation in the wild.

How do I detect CVE-2018-14847?

Run the detection-only PoC included with this entry against your Docker test lab to confirm whether a target is affected; pair it with your own IDS logging.

How do I block or mitigate CVE-2018-14847?

Upgrade to a fixed version per the vendor advisory; the NVD record lists the affected versions. Use the included PoC to verify your remediation.

Is CVE-2018-14847 actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2018-14847 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 2021-12-01, which means it has been exploited in the wild. CISA set a federal remediation deadline of 2022-06-01. Prioritise patching and deploy the detection and prevention rules above.

For authorized security testing and research only. See the full source and NVD record.