CVE-2022-24147 in AX3
Summary
by MITRE • 02/04/2022
Tenda AX3 v16.03.12.10_CN was discovered to contain a stack overflow in the function fromAdvSetMacMtuWan. This vulnerability allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via the wanMTU, wanSpeed, cloneType, mac, and serviceName parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-24147 affects the Tenda AX3 router firmware version v16.03.12.10_CN, representing a critical stack overflow condition within the fromAdvSetMacMtuWan function. This flaw demonstrates a classic buffer overflow vulnerability where insufficient input validation permits attackers to manipulate memory allocation during function execution. The vulnerability specifically targets parameters including wanMTU, wanSpeed, cloneType, mac, and serviceName, which are processed through the affected function without adequate bounds checking or sanitization mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the aforementioned parameters in the router's web interface or API endpoints. When these parameters are submitted with excessively long input strings or malformed data, the function fails to properly validate input lengths, leading to memory corruption in the stack region. The stack overflow condition results in program termination and system instability, manifesting as a denial of service scenario that completely disrupts network connectivity for affected devices. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue that has been consistently exploited in network device firmware.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to network infrastructure as it enables remote attackers to render network services unavailable without requiring authentication or privileged access. The DoS impact extends beyond simple service disruption, potentially affecting business continuity and network availability for both residential and enterprise users. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers with basic knowledge of network protocols and router management interfaces. Network administrators face the challenge of identifying affected devices within their infrastructure, as the vulnerability affects a specific firmware version that may not be immediately apparent through standard network scanning tools.
The attack surface for this vulnerability encompasses all devices running the affected Tenda AX3 firmware version, with potential impacts extending to any network environment where these routers are deployed. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation means that unauthorized parties can initiate denial of service attacks from external network positions, potentially leading to cascading failures in network infrastructure. Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware updates from Tenda to address the buffer overflow condition, along with network segmentation to limit exposure of affected devices. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual traffic patterns or repeated connection failures that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of implementing proper input validation and bounds checking in embedded systems, particularly in network device firmware where memory constraints and resource limitations often lead to insufficient security controls. Organizations should consider implementing network access controls and firewall rules to limit exposure of router management interfaces to trusted network segments, while also establishing firmware update policies to ensure all network devices maintain current security patches. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices in embedded systems and the potential consequences of inadequate input validation in network infrastructure devices.