ASUS RT-AC56U Firmware version 3.0.0.4.374.5656

[speedingcheetah]

AC56U

Lots of stuff in this one:

ASUS RT-AC56U Firmware version 3.0.0.4.374.5656

Security related issues:
1. Fixed remote command execution vulnerability
2. Fixed parameters buffer overflow vulnerability
3. Fixed XSS(Cross Site Scripting) vulnerability
4. Fixed CSRF(Cross Site Request Forgery) vulnerability
5. Added auto logout function. The timeout time can be configured in - Administration--> System
6. Included patches related to network map. Thanks for Merlin's contribution.
7. Fixed password disclosure in source code when adminstrator logged in.
8. Changed OpenSSL Library from 1.0.0.b to 1.0.0.d. Both OpenSSL versions are not vulnerable to heartbleed bug.

Others:
1. Added universal beamforming to enhance the wireless speed for non 802.11ac devices
2. Fixed IPTV related issues.
3. Modified the 3G/LTE dongle setting process in quick internet setup wizard.
4. Fixed the Cloud sync problem
5. Fixed Parental control check box UI issues.
6. Modified the FTP/ Samba permission setting UI
7. Modified media server setting UI
8.Samba/ media server/ iTunes server name can be changed.
9. Dual wan fail over now support fail back
10. Fixed wake on lan magic packet sending issue.
11. Fixed false alarm for samba and ftp permission.
12. Fixed IPv6 related issues.
13. Supported HFS+
14. Supported Time machine
---
Special thanks for David and Joaquim Brasil de Oliveira’s research
CVE-2014-2719 http://dnlongen.blogspot.com/2014/04/CVE-2014-2719-Asus-RT-Password-Disclosure.html
Cross Site Scripting: https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2014-2925
Remote Command Execution: https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2013-5948

http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/wireless/RT-AC56U/FW_RT_AC56U_30043745656.zip

 

[speedingcheetah]

My observations since flashing this.

When it flashed the file, it said "Reboot the router manually". The web GUI did not responded, so I pressed the power button to re-start it.

5ghz link rate on my Intel AC7260 does seem to be lower and fluctuate a bit more than before. (I am only about 10 feet from router, always would get a steady 866 before) However, speed does not seem affected at all, far as I can tell. Will have to test more later.

(Update: ) Aside from lower link rates(win 8.1 built in wifi), I don't notice any difference in transfer speed. Wired LAN speed same 115-118MB's wifi 40-50MB's trasnfer(close to router) 15-30MB's (in my livingroom). Not sure if they changed wifi driver or not..but seems fine to me. Range a tad better. Now get 4-5 bars in my livingroom..instead of a 3-4.

When I changed the new "login timeout" setting, the GUI got stuck on processing....refreshed page and it was fine. It did this a few times when I clicked apply to save settings.

OpenVPN server does not seem to be auto-starting(saw a post about this on the AC68U thread). Clicking the Apply on the VPN page starts it fine.

 

[Injuis]

Any changes to your 2.4 speeds?

Merlin, do these ac56u specific changes be incorporated into your firmware?

 

[speedingcheetah]

Any changes to your 2.4 speeds?

Merlin, do these ac56u specific changes be incorporated into your firmware?

Sorry, can't comment on that. I don't have 2.4 band enabled. I can't use that band, 30+ 2.4g networks in range.. I only use 5ghz.

 

[speedingcheetah]

Beam forming

Odd. Asus must have done done something with this new firmware.

I disabled beam forming...and I got a boost in wifi performance on my Intel 7260 and my S3. File transfers close range went from 45-50MB's to 55-60MB's.

Odd, because it was the opposite effect before the upgrade.

 

[RMerlin]

Odd. Asus must have done done something with this new firmware.

I disabled beam forming...and I got a boost in wifi performance on my Intel 7260 and my S3. File transfers close range went from 45-50MB's to 55-60MB's.

Odd, because it was the opposite effect before the upgrade.

5656 has a newer driver from Broadcom. I've seen other bits of the SDK related to the wireless driver that have also been updated in this release.

 

[speedingcheetah]

HDD wont detect in 3.0 port

I tried to plug in a USB 3.0 hdd to my 56U (same one I used to test the WRT router). Been quite a while since I tried their Cloud Disk feature. Wanted to see if they have improved it any and also test network share speeds.

The router is not seeing the hdd in the USB 3.0 port

I am getting this in the log:

"kernel: hub 2-0:1.0: unable to enumerate USB device on port 1".

I haven't tried rebooting the router...won't be able to do that for a few days.

HDD mounts fine on the 2.0 port.

 

[ericxxd1]

I tried to plug in a USB 3.0 hdd to my 56U (same one I used to test the WRT router). Been quite a while since I tried their Cloud Disk feature. Wanted to see if they have improved it any and also test network share speeds.

The router is not seeing the hdd in the USB 3.0 port

I am getting this in the log:

"kernel: hub 2-0:1.0: unable to enumerate USB device on port 1".

I haven't tried rebooting the router...won't be able to do that for a few days.

HDD mounts fine on the 2.0 port.

I believe this error message means the "Reducing USB 3.0 interference" feature doesn't support your USB 3.0 drive.... like mine

Please try the setting
Wireless -> Professional -> 2.4G setting -> Option "Reducing USB 3.0 interference" -> Disable。
This step should allow you to get back with USB 3.0 port connection ability.

 

[speedingcheetah]

I believe this error message means the "Reducing USB 3.0 interference" feature doesn't support your USB 3.0 drive.... like mine

Please try the setting
Wireless -> Professional -> 2.4G setting -> Option "Reducing USB 3.0 interference" -> Disable。
This step should allow you to get back with USB 3.0 port connection ability.

That did the trick!

I wasn't even aware of that setting!

I wouldn't even think to look in the WiFi settings for a USB related setting...especially not the 2.4g band, as I have that disabled.

How does 2.4g wifi affect a usb port?...never heard of that.

 

[RMerlin]

That did the trick!

I wasn't even aware of that setting!

I wouldn't even think to look in the WiFi settings for a USB related setting...especially not the 2.4g band, as I have that disabled.

How does 2.4g wifi affect a usb port?...never heard of that.

USB 3.0 signalling interferes with 2.4 GHz wifi due to EM noise. It's a fairly well documented issue now, also mentioned in Tim's recent router reviews. That option downgrades the USB port to USB 2.0 functionality, however the way the downgrade works isn't 100% compatible with all disks.

 

[speedingcheetah]

Optimal 5ghz settings

http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showpost.php?p=118750&postcount=1

 

[Injuis]

For anyone curious: .5656 did not change 2.4 performance for me. It's still slow as hell

 

[JarleH]

How do I update the firmware the best way? Is there a need to do a reset and reconfigure the router after update? And if so, can I backup the settings and restore them after reset?

 

[speedingcheetah]

How do I update the firmware the best way? Is there a need to do a reset and reconfigure the router after update? And if so, can I backup the settings and restore them after reset?

If you are coming for real old version...then a full reset and re-configure (do not load saved config file) is recommended.

If it is a minor update, then no need to reset.

 

[JarleH]

The firmware were updated when it was new, so the firmware is from September 2013. Not sure if that means big update or not, afraid so (not eager to set it up again, if it works, do not mess with it hehehe)...
But the wifi signal is bad now, actually pretty bad, so it is needed to get a newer firmware with better wifi signal...

 

[theothergeoff]

expected ETA of 376.1123 for the AC56U?

a subtle thread hijack... I'm running 374.5656 and its okay, but I'm seeing slow 2.4ghz and also I'd like to get more accurate traffic stats.... Is this delay normal for firmware released for the ac66 and ac68 until the 56U? I'm in the midst of holding up a deployment because I'm thinking 'any day now' I like the things I see in the release notes for and don't want to make a 2nd visit to the client site, but they are antsy to extend their Apple AC wireless networking.

 

[speedingcheetah]

The firmware were updated when it was new, so the firmware is from September 2013. Not sure if that means big update or not, afraid so (not eager to set it up again, if it works, do not mess with it hehehe)...
But the wifi signal is bad now, actually pretty bad, so it is needed to get a newer firmware with better wifi signal...

Only firmware I see for that date is 3.0.0.4.374.134.

Current is 3.0.0.374.5656

That is quite a jump...I would recommend, for best stability and performance.. a full reset to default before then after upgrade...and then set your settings....

 

[speedingcheetah]

a subtle thread hijack... I'm running 374.5656 and its okay, but I'm seeing slow 2.4ghz and also I'd like to get more accurate traffic stats.... Is this delay normal for firmware released for the ac66 and ac68 until the 56U? I'm in the midst of holding up a deployment because I'm thinking 'any day now' I like the things I see in the release notes for and don't want to make a 2nd visit to the client site, but they are antsy to extend their Apple AC wireless networking.

Those other models have different hardware..so changes in those firmwares may not apply to the AC56U.

You can always try Merlin firmware...as he tends to keep that up to date....no idea what is newest version for the AC56U.

 

[JarleH]

Only firmware I see for that date is 3.0.0.4.374.134.

Current is 3.0.0.374.5656

That is quite a jump...I would recommend, for best stability and performance.. a full reset to default before then after upgrade...and then set your settings....

What I meant is that I updated it right after I got it in september, so firmware is from before that time.

Yeah, I feared a full reset was advised. My fear is I mess something up; it if works do not fix it... But problem is current firmware got really bad wifi signal, so I was thinking about updating to get better wifi signal...

 

[speedingcheetah]

What I meant is that I updated it right after I got it in september, so firmware is from before that time.

Yeah, I feared a full reset was advised. My fear is I mess something up; it if works do not fix it... But problem is current firmware got really bad wifi signal, so I was thinking about updating to get better wifi signal...

U could always just flash the update....and if you start to have issues.....then do a full reset...

I will admit, it has been a long time since I have done a full reset and full reconfigure of settings.....certainly quite a few firmwares ago.