CVE-2014-125117 in DSP-W215
Summary
by MITRE • 07/25/2025
A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in the my_cgi.cgi component of certain D-Link devices, including the DSP-W215 version 1.02, can be exploited via a specially crafted HTTP POST request to the /common/info.cgi endpoint. This flaw enables an unauthenticated attacker to achieve remote code execution with system-level privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-125117 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the my_cgi.cgi component of various D-Link networking devices, most notably affecting the DSP-W215 model running firmware version 1.02. This vulnerability exists within the web interface handling mechanism of the affected devices, specifically targeting the /common/info.cgi endpoint that processes HTTP POST requests. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the CGI script implementation, creating a condition where maliciously crafted data can overflow the allocated stack buffer and overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully constructed HTTP POST request sent to the vulnerable endpoint, which triggers the buffer overflow condition in the my_cgi.cgi component. When the device processes the malformed request, the insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to overwrite the stack frame with malicious data, potentially including shellcode or jump addresses that redirect program execution. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a critical weakness in software security. The attacker does not require authentication credentials to exploit this flaw, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged remotely without prior access to the device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise with root-level privileges. Successful exploitation allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected device, potentially enabling them to install malicious software, modify network configurations, redirect traffic, or establish persistent backdoors. The implications for network security are severe, as these devices often serve as critical network infrastructure components including wireless routers, access points, and network switches. The vulnerability affects a broad range of D-Link devices, creating widespread exposure across multiple network environments and potentially enabling attackers to use these compromised devices as launching points for further attacks within the network perimeter.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: Unix Shell, as exploitation typically involves executing shell commands through the compromised device. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK tactic TA0002 Execution and TA0003 Persistence, as attackers can establish persistent access and execute commands remotely. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from D-Link, network segmentation to isolate affected devices, and monitoring for suspicious HTTP POST traffic patterns. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of input validation and secure coding practices in embedded web interfaces, particularly in network infrastructure devices where the attack surface and potential impact of compromise are significantly elevated.