CVE-2022-24014 in LinkHub Mesh Wi-Fi MS1G
Summary
by MITRE • 08/06/2022
A buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the GetValue functionality of TCL LinkHub Mesh Wi-Fi MS1G_00_01.00_14. A specially-crafted configuration value can lead to a buffer overflow. An attacker can modify a configuration value to trigger this vulnerability.This vulnerability represents all occurances of the buffer overflow vulnerability within the logserver binary.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2022
The CVE-2022-24014 vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the TCL LinkHub Mesh Wi-Fi MS1G_00_01 device firmware, specifically affecting the GetValue functionality of the logserver binary component. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly bounds-check configuration values before processing them within fixed-size memory buffers. The affected device operates as a mesh Wi-Fi router system, where the logserver binary handles various configuration parameters and log data processing tasks. The buffer overflow occurs when maliciously crafted configuration values are submitted through the GetValue interface, causing data to overwrite adjacent memory regions beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite memory locations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core logging functionality of the device, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability through memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes, as it provides potential attack vectors for privilege escalation and persistent system compromise. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious configuration parameters that trigger the buffer overflow condition during normal device operation. The vulnerability affects all instances of the buffer overflow within the logserver binary, indicating a systemic weakness in the firmware's input handling mechanisms rather than a single isolated flaw. When successfully exploited, the buffer overflow can lead to denial of service conditions where the device becomes unresponsive or enters a reboot loop, or more critically, allow for code execution within the device's memory space. This represents a significant risk for network infrastructure devices, as compromised mesh routers can serve as persistent footholds for attackers to conduct further reconnaissance, establish command and control channels, or launch attacks against other networked devices. The vulnerability's presence in the logserver binary specifically targets the device's logging and configuration management capabilities, which are fundamental to maintaining network security posture and operational integrity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-24014 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from TCL to address the underlying buffer overflow conditions in the logserver binary. Network administrators must implement strict access controls and network segmentation to limit potential exploitation vectors, particularly focusing on securing management interfaces and configuration endpoints. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as exploitation may enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected device. Organizations should conduct thorough network assessments to identify all affected TCL LinkHub Mesh Wi-Fi devices and establish monitoring procedures for unusual configuration changes or log data anomalies that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include implementing network access control lists to restrict configuration modification capabilities, deploying intrusion detection systems capable of identifying malformed configuration requests, and establishing baseline configuration states for device management interfaces. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in embedded systems, particularly in network infrastructure devices where the attack surface can have wide-reaching implications for entire network segments. Regular vulnerability assessments and firmware update procedures should be implemented to address similar issues in other networked devices and prevent exploitation of similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities in the future.