CVE-2022-29326 in DIR-816 A2
Summary
by MITRE • 05/10/2022
D-Link DIR-816 A2_v1.10CNB04 was discovered to contain a stack overflow via the addhostfilter parameter in /goform/websHostFilter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-29326 affects D-Link DIR-816 A2 wireless routers running firmware version 1.10CNB04 and potentially other affected models. This issue represents a critical stack overflow condition that occurs within the web interface handling of the device's administration portal. The vulnerability manifests specifically when processing the addhostfilter parameter through the /goform/websHostFilter endpoint, which is part of the router's web-based configuration interface designed for managing host filtering rules.
The technical flaw stems from improper input validation and handling within the router's firmware implementation. When an attacker submits a maliciously crafted payload through the addhostfilter parameter, the device fails to properly sanitize or limit the input length before processing it within a stack-based buffer. This oversight creates a condition where the input data can overflow the allocated stack space, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a critical weakness in software security. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication, making it accessible to remote attackers who can exploit the vulnerability through the web interface without needing valid credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it could potentially enable remote code execution on the affected devices. An attacker who successfully exploits this stack overflow could gain arbitrary code execution privileges on the router, allowing them to modify network configurations, intercept traffic, establish persistent backdoors, or use the device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the local network. The vulnerability affects the device's administrative interface, which means that successful exploitation could result in complete compromise of the router's functionality and potentially the entire network it serves. Network traffic passing through the compromised router could be monitored, modified, or redirected, while the attacker could also disable security features or alter firewall rules to maintain persistent access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate firmware updates from D-Link, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing this specific stack overflow condition. Organizations should implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts through unusual traffic patterns or unauthorized configuration changes. Network administrators should also consider implementing strict access controls that limit direct internet access to administrative interfaces, while enabling additional authentication mechanisms such as two-factor authentication where available. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper memory management in embedded systems, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise such as unusual network connections or configuration changes that might suggest exploitation attempts, and maintain comprehensive network traffic logs for forensic analysis. Given the nature of the vulnerability, it is recommended that all affected devices be taken offline until proper patches have been applied and validated through security testing.