CVE-2022-28972 in AX1806
Summary
by MITRE • 05/06/2022
Tenda AX1806 v1.0.0.1 was discovered to contain a stack overflow via the timeZone parameter in the function form_fast_setting_wifi_set. This vulnerability allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-28972 affects the Tenda AX1806 router firmware version 1.0.0.1 and represents a critical stack overflow condition that can be exploited to execute a denial of service attack. This flaw exists within the web interface configuration handling mechanism, specifically in the form_fast_setting_wifi_set function where the timeZone parameter is processed without adequate input validation or bounds checking. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker submits a specially crafted timeZone value that exceeds the allocated stack buffer size, causing the program to overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially leading to application crash or system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper buffer management practices within the router's firmware codebase, which violates fundamental security principles outlined in CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow. The affected function processes user-supplied input directly without sanitization, creating an environment where malicious input can manipulate the program execution flow. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of memory corruption flaws that can be exploited through crafted HTTP requests targeting the router's web administration interface. The stack overflow occurs during the parameter parsing phase when the system attempts to store the timeZone value in a fixed-size buffer that cannot accommodate the excessive input length.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to network availability and system integrity as it enables remote attackers to disrupt network services without requiring authentication or specialized privileges. The denial of service condition can persist until the device is manually rebooted or the firmware is updated, potentially affecting network connectivity for all devices relying on the affected router. Network administrators may experience service interruptions that could impact business operations, particularly in environments where router availability is critical for network infrastructure. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise and can be automated, making it a particularly dangerous threat vector for unpatched devices in both residential and enterprise networks.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Tenda to address the buffer overflow condition through proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of affected devices to untrusted networks, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous traffic patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. The implementation of web application firewalls and input validation rules can provide additional protection layers, though these measures should complement rather than replace official firmware updates. Organizations should also consider conducting network audits to identify all affected Tenda AX1806 devices and establish remediation schedules based on risk assessment priorities, aligning with best practices from the ATT&CK framework's T1499 Defense Evasion tactic. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be integrated into network management processes to identify similar issues in other network infrastructure components, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar memory corruption vulnerabilities.