Home Routers: Remote Attacks Through Malicious JavaScript Exploit

They have demonstrated that users could open up their router's traffic as a result of visiting a web page loaded with malicious javascript. The researchers said, "Settings on the router can be changed, including the DNS servers used by members of small, quickly erected internal networks. The attacks do not exploit any vulnerabilities in the user's browser. Instead, all they require is that the browser run JavaScript and Java Applets."

While the threat to home routers is real, said the researchers, no actual attacks have so far taken place. Users would also first have to be persuaded to visit a malicious website for any attack to take place.