CVE-2018-18319: An issue was discovered in the Merlin.PHP component 0.6.6 for Asuswrt-Merlin devices
CVE-2018-18319 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting rt-ac5300 firmware, rt ac1900p firmware, rt-ac68u firmware. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
An issue was discovered in the Merlin.PHP component 0.6.6 for Asuswrt-Merlin devices. An attacker can execute arbitrary commands because api.php has an eval call, as demonstrated by the /6/api.php?function=command&class=remote&Cc='ls' URI. NOTE: the vendor indicates that Merlin.PHP is designed only for use on a trusted intranet network, and intentionally allows remote code execution
Why this priority
- Critical severity
- EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited
- Public exploit reference
- Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
A fixed release or distro patch exists.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 9.8 (Critical) |
| Attack vector | Network (remote) |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges needed | None |
| User interaction | None |
| EPSS exploit chance | 5.4% (top 7%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Weakness | CWE-94 |
| Published | 2018-10-15 |
| Last modified | 2026-06-17 |
Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Updated Record last modified
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.
Quick answers
How do I fix CVE-2018-18319?
rt-ac5300 firmware: upgrade to newer than 380.70; rt ac1900p firmware: upgrade to newer than 380.70; rt-ac68u firmware: upgrade to newer than 380.70. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2018-18319 being exploited?
CVE-2018-18319 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.
What does CVE-2018-18319 affect?
CVE-2018-18319 affects rt-ac5300 firmware, rt ac1900p firmware, rt-ac68u firmware. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). An issue was discovered in the Merlin.PHP component 0.6.6 for Asuswrt-Merlin devices. An attacker can execute arbitrary commands because api.php has an eval call, as demonstrated by the /6/api.php?function=command&class=remote&Cc='ls' URI.
How urgent is CVE-2018-18319?
Priority 67/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
Software pages
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