Any way to disable the ASUSTek Hidden Networks?

[akb]

I am using various ASUS routers in AP mode since I gave up on Aimesh.

I noticed all these AP's now have 5ghz hidden network broadcasting. I already went to each AP in the aimesh page and enabled ethernet backhual mode. but it appears to have not done anything.

Does anyone know of a nvram setting that can be set/unset to remove these hidden broadcasts?

Thanks

 

[ColinTaylor]

I am using various ASUS routers in AP mode since I gave up on Aimesh.

I noticed all these AP's now have 5ghz hidden network broadcasting. I already went to each AP in the aimesh page and enabled ethernet backhual mode.

That doesn't sound like they're in AP mode. It sounds like they're AiMesh nodes with an ethernet backhaul. Try removing the nodes from the primary router's AiMesh. Then factory reset the devices you want to be access points, connect to them directly and configure them as such.

 

[akb]

That doesn't sound like they're in AP mode. It sounds like they're AiMesh nodes with an ethernet backhaul. Try removing the nodes from the primary router's AiMesh. Then factory reset the devices you want to be access points, connect to them directly and configure them as such.

No these are all their own AP mode, even in AP mode they have aimesh sestion where you can toggle aimesh settings because each AP can be a Ai Mesh router

 

[akb]

 

[ColinTaylor]

No these are all their own AP mode, even in AP mode they have aimesh sestion where you can toggle aimesh settings because each AP can be a Ai Mesh router

I see. I thought you were talking about the AiMesh page on the main router. Go to the AiMesh page on the router and confirm that the AP's are no longer part of AiMesh. (I'm assuming there's an Asus device acting as the main router.) Check that WDS is not enabled on the APs.

 

[bennor]

I am using various ASUS routers in AP mode since I gave up on Aimesh.

I noticed all these AP's now have 5ghz hidden network broadcasting. I already went to each AP in the aimesh page and enabled ethernet backhual mode. but it appears to have not done anything.

What routers, what firmware?
Is WPS and or WDS enabled under the Wireless settings on the routers? If so does disabling them change anything?
Do you have WPA3 enabled on the affected routers?

There have been a couple of past discussions on mysterious SSID's popping up on Asus routers that may or may not be relevant to your issue.

YazFi - mystery SSID keeps appearing and disappearing and changing

Hello, I have a weird problem, I first noticed a strange SSID sometimes being detected and then disappearing again, I noticed it had the same Mac address as my router but I could not find it in the GUI at all. I contacted ASUS support which was useless they told me it's not my router and stopped...

www.snbforums.com

RT-AX58U broadcasts weird SSID when WPA3 enabled

I have RT-AX58U router, and when I enable WPA3 protection, besides my SSID I see weird long SSID with random characters for approximately 30-40 seconds after router boots. It looks pretty weird and I didn't manage to find any explanation of it. When I enable WPA2, this SSID is not shown. Does...

www.snbforums.com

 

[akb]

What routers, what firmware?
Is WPS and or WDS enabled under the Wireless settings on the routers? If so does disabling them change anything?
Do you have WPA3 enabled on the affected routers?

There have been a couple of past discussions on mysterious SSID's popping up on Asus routers that may or may not be relevant to your issue.

YazFi - mystery SSID keeps appearing and disappearing and changing

Hello, I have a weird problem, I first noticed a strange SSID sometimes being detected and then disappearing again, I noticed it had the same Mac address as my router but I could not find it in the GUI at all. I contacted ASUS support which was useless they told me it's not my router and stopped...

www.snbforums.com

RT-AX58U broadcasts weird SSID when WPA3 enabled

I have RT-AX58U router, and when I enable WPA3 protection, besides my SSID I see weird long SSID with random characters for approximately 30-40 seconds after router boots. It looks pretty weird and I didn't manage to find any explanation of it. When I enable WPA2, this SSID is not shown. Does...

www.snbforums.com

I bet its the WPS section, trying that now. Main router is ax86u with latest asusmerlin, the other machines either are merlin or stock because its not supported.

 

[akb]

Nope WPS is off, Aimesh backhual enabled, and no WPA3. I do notice this is only 5ghz. These routers all have 1 band of 5ghz

 

[jksmurf]

Nope WPS is off, Aimesh backhual enabled, and no WPA3. I do notice this is only 5ghz. These routers all have 1 band of 5ghz

Might be way off base here as my setup is AIMesh but see if there’s anything in this thread which rings a bell with your observations?

 

[akb]

I think i figured it out,

There was this on all my AP's nvram


wl1_vifs=wl1.4

I simply removed it and bam no more hidden networks sitting on top of my ssid

 

[akb]

SO now i have one dilemma, one of my APs is not a asusmerlin node so i can not force the nvram setting on boot.


I do not recall but is there a way to do a startup script for non merlin nodes. I recall some nvram field was exploitable before.... hmmmm
I think this exploit needed a usb port which this thing does not XD5.

 

[0ID]

I think i figured it out,

There was this on all my AP's nvram


wl1_vifs=wl1.4

I simply removed it and bam no more hidden networks sitting on top of my ssid

Hello akb,
I have the same problem, two hidden networks on 5GHz band.
Could you please elaborate how to tweek the nvram - for not too experienced user. Mac only!

Thank you!

Link to my post: https://www.snbforums.com/threads/asus-xt9-hidden-networks.92157/#post-930092

 

[visortgw]

SO now i have one dilemma, one of my APs is not a asusmerlin node so i can not force the nvram setting on boot.


I do not recall but is there a way to do a startup script for non merlin nodes. I recall some nvram field was exploitable before.... hmmmm
I think this exploit needed a usb port which this thing does not XD5.

Take a look at this: How to Execute an Init Script for Stock Asus Firmware